THE  UNIVERSITY 


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IB 

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(Presented  by  HON.  D.  BETHUNE,  DUFFIELD 

From  Library  of  Rev.  Geo.  Duffield,  D.D. 


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https://archive.org/details/inmemoriamwillia00unse_0 


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5 O'!  \0  Y1 

lion  / i:m;  /, 


♦ 


i 


“Many  of  those  who  met  in  this  hall  at  that  time  are 
gone.  They  died  as  Whittier  well  said: 

“ * Their  bi’ave  hearts  breaking  slow, 

But  self  forgetful  to  the  last. 

In  words  of  cheer,  and  bugle  glow, 

They  breath  upon  the  darkness  past  ’ 

“In  those  days,  as  we  gathered  around  their  graves,  and 
resolved  that  the  narrower  the  circle  became  the  closer  we 
would  draw  together,  we  almost  envied  the  dead  the  quiet 
sleep  to  which  we  left  them, — the  harvest  reaped  and  the  seal 
set  beyond  the  power  of  change.” — Wendell  Phillips. 


In  Lansing,  Mich.,  on  Tuesday,  Dec.  27,  1881,  of  paralysis, 
William  S.  George,  senior  proprietor  and  managing  editor  of 
the  Lansing  Republican,  aged  56  years.  Funeral  from  the  family 
residence,  Friday,  Dec.  30,  at  1%  o’clock  i\  M. 


* 


j^feetdt  of  Wm.  £. 


The  following  sketch,  prepared  by  James  W.  King, 
for  eleven  years  his  associate  editor,  appeared  in 
the  Lansing  Republican  of  December  27,  1881,  the 
morning  of  his  death : 

Wm.  S.  George,  for  many  years  chief  editor  and 
senior  proprietor  of  the  Republican,  died  at  his  home 
in  this  city  on  Tuesday  morning,  aged  56  years. 
He  was  born  at  Derby,  Vt.,  and  came  from  that 
Puritan  stock  which  has  stamped  its  impress  so 
indelibly  on  the  national  character. 

At  the  age  of  three  years  fire  swept  from  his 
parents  all  their  worldly  possessions,  and  lying  on 
a bed  on  the  ground  near  the  scene  of  the  destruc- 
tion, he  saw  the  lurid  flames  do  a work  of  havoc 
and  ruin  which  caused  both  parents  and  children 
to  struggle  for  years,  to  obtain  for  themselves  the 
necessities  of  life.  William  S.  was  the  eldest  son, 
and  before  he  had  reached  the  age  of  12  years  he 
was  fighting  manfully  the  battle  of  life.  He  has 
often  said  to  the  writer  of  this,  “ I never  knew 
anything  about  the  sports  and  pleasures  of  child- 
hood.” While  his  companions  were  engaged  in 
out-door  sports,  he  was  engaged  in  study  and  com- 
position, which  were  the  stepping-stones  to  that 


* : 

8 MEMORIAL  OF 


prominent  position  which  he  afterward  held  in  the 
ranks  of  journalism.  He  had  a thorough  elemen- 
tary drill  in  the  common  schools,  and  then  spent 
four  years  in  learning  the  printer’s  trade  on  the 
White  Mountain  iEgis,  at  Lancaster,  New  Hamp- 
shire. 

His  wages  were  $1.50  per  week  for  11  hours  of 
labor,  commencing  at  6 a.  m.,  enjoying  an  hour’s 
“nooning,”  and  closing  at  6 p.  m.  the  year  around. 
He  was  required  in  the  winter  time  to  go  to  the 
office  before  breakfast,  get  fires  started,  and  then 
he  ready  for  his  regular  day’s  work  at  6 o’clock. 

At  the  close  of  his  regular  apprenticeship  he 
worked  for  a few  months  in  the  office  of  the  Dem- 
ocratic Republican  at  Haverhill,  Mass.,  and  then 
removed  to  Brattleboro,  Vt.,  wffiere  he  worked  for 
several  years  in  the  office  of  the  Vermont  Phoenix. 

Those  were  hard-working  slow-going  old  times, 
and  part  of  his  wages  wrere  paid  in  “orders.”  The 
lesson,  however,  was  thoroughly  impressed  upon 
him,  that  all  future  success  must  depend  on  indus- 
try, fidelity,  and  accuracy, — the  improving  of  one’s 
opportunities,  and  the  saving  of  one’s  earnings. 

As  an  apprentice  he  soon  became  an  expert  com- 
positor, and  could  set  more  type  per  day  at  the 
close  of  the  first  year  than  the  average  of  journey- 
men printers,  and  set  it  more  correctly.  His  proofs 
were  considered  marvels  for  so  young  a workman. 
The  labor  of  “rolling”  for  the  hand  press  of  old 

* 


Wm.  s.  geoege. 


9 


times  was  performed  upon  a flat  table,  and  raised 
many  blisters  upon  bis  boyish  bands.  As  a jour- 
neyman he  set  type  at  16|  cents  per  thousand  ems, 
or  at  $5  per  week,  and  was  thankful  for  the  chance. 
The  money  he  received  was  often  barely  enough  to 
pay  his  board.  The  demand  for  printers  was  very 
limited,  but  wherever  he  obtained  a situation  he 
wTas  able  to  keep  it  as  long  as  there  was  any  work 
to  be  done. 

Although  in  politics  a decided  whig  so  long  as 
that  party  was  faithful  to  its  principles,  and  after- 
wards a free-soiler  and  republican,  he  worked  in 
several  democratic  offices  and  gained  the  confidence 
of  his  employers  by  diligence  and  good  faith.  He 
was  conversant  with  the  minor  political  secrets  of 
those  offices,  as  journeymen  often  are,  but  never 
revealed  them.  He  set  up  many  columns  of  rabid 
democratic  editorials  and  correspondence  from 
exceedingly  blind  manuscript,  correcting  the  punc- 
tuation, w7rong  spelling,  and  mistakes  of  fact,  so 
that  when  the  foreman  was  in  a great  hurry  it 
would  sometimes  happen  that  his  matter  was 
“dumped”  in  the  form  without  even  taking  a first 
proof.  This  was  the  highest  compliment  that  could 
be  paid  to  him  as  a compositor. 

From  early  boyhood  it  was  his  ambition  to  con- 
duct a newspaper,  and  at  15  years  of  age  he  com- 
menced writing  articles  which  were  published  in 
favor  of  the  election  of  General  Harrison  as  presi- 


10 


MEMOEIAL  OF 


dent.  He  occasionally  prepared  local  news,  and  in 
1844  conducted  the  political  department  of  a Whig 
newspaper,  which  supported  Henry  Clay  for  presi- 
dent, furnishing  from  one  to  two  columns  per  week 
for  the  munificent  pay  of  $1.  On  receipt  of 
the  first  $18,  all  in  hard  money,  the  sum  looked 
enormous.  It  was  the  first  positive  fruits  of  his 
pen,  and  he  used  it  all  in  taking  his  first  trip  to 
the  city  of  Boston,  inspecting  its  wonders,  partici- 
pating in  the  4th-of-July  celebration,  and  witness- 
ing the  magnificent  fire-works  on  Boston  Common. 

From  that  time  forward  he  wrote  for  a great 
many  newspapers  and  periodicals,  receiving,  how- 
ever, very  little  money  until  1854,  when  he  under- 
took as  a reporter  to  furnish  Charlestown  items  for 
the  Boston  Daily  Transcript,  for  which  he  received 
$2  per  week,— picking  up  the  news  at  morning, 
evening,  or  at  noon-time,  and  writing  it  by  the 
way-side,  or  wherever  it  happened,  and  handing  it 
in  at  the  office  of  that  newspaper. 

His  first  attempt  at  reporting  a speech  was  a 
failure  for  a very  good  reason.  The  speech  was 
made  by  Daniel  Webster  in  New  Hampshire  to  an 
admiring  crowd  of  whigs  in  1840,  and  it  was  so 
interesting  and  impressive  that  the  apprentice 
dropped  his  pencil  and  listened  in  rapt  wonder. 

An  editorial  written  by  him  in  1857  on  “Bleed- 
ing Kansas,”  was  widely  copied  by  the  republican 
press  of  Massachusetts,  and  secured  him  the 


Wm,  S.  GEORGE. 


11 


offer  of  a permanent  engagement  on  the  New  Bed- 
ford (Mass.)  Daily  Standard.  He  also  wrote  jokes 
for  the  Carpet-Bag,  a humorous  weekly  of  Boston, 
abolitionist  essays  for  the  Liberator,  Wm.  Lloyd 
Garrison’s  paper,  social  and  domestic  articles  for 
the  Olive  Branch  and  the  New  England  Farmer. 

While  in  the  employ  of  the  Standard,  although 
his  wages  were  but  $6  to  $12  per  week,  by  rigor- 
ous industry  and  close  economy  he  saved  enough 
to  purchase  the  North  Adams  Transcript.  The  fire 
demon  scourged  him,  and  the  severest  labor  and 
economy  were  necessary  to  keep  his  paper  alive ; 
but  he  did  good  service  towrard  the  election  of 
Abraham  Lincoln,  and  for  the  success  of  his  party 
in  county  and  state. 

In  1860  he  sold  the  Transcript  and  became  an 
assistant  editor  of  the  Springfield  Republican  under 
Samuel  Bowles.  The  late  J.  G.  Holland  was  also 
a member  of  the  staff  of  the  Republican  at  that 
time.  Two  years  later,  on  the  consolidation  of  the 
Detroit  Advertiser  and  Tribune,  the  managers 
applied  to  Mr.  Bowles  for  a first-class  journalist, 
and  Mr.  George  became  assistant  editor  of  the 
Tribune. 

After  a year’s  experience  in  editorial  work  he 
purchased  $4,000  worth  of  stock  in  that  journal, 
the  late  E.  B.  Ward  indorsing  his  note  for  $3,000, 
and  in  October,  1863,  he  took  complete  control  of 
the  business  and  mechanical  departments.  No 


◄ 


12 


MEMORIAL  OF 


Michigan  newspaper  ever  attained  such  prosperity 
and  success  as  did  the  Tribune  under  his  manage- 
ment. His  debts  were  paid  in  less  than  two  years, 
and  at  the  end  of  four  years  he  owned  an  interest 
worth  $14,000.  In  1867  he  sold  his  stock  and  be- 
came superintendent  of  an  oil  company  in  West 
Virginia. 

On  the  death  of  the  late  John  A.  Kerr,  the  surviv- 
ing partner,  George  Jerome,  offered  him  an  inter- 
est in  the  state  printing,  and  on  January  1,  1869, 
he  assumed  control  of  the  state-printing  office  and 
bindery.  In  1878  he  assumed  editorial  charge  of 
the  Lansing  Republican,  which  had  achieved  a 
good  reputation  under  able  editors,  but  under  his 
care  and  skill  became  known  among  newspaper 
men  as  “the  model  paper  of  Michigan.”  His  news- 
paper methods  have  been  largely  followed  by  many 
editors,  who  readiJy  recognized  their  true  merits, 
and  in  this  way  he  has  done  more  than  any  one 
man  to  elevate  the  newspaper  press  of  the  Penin- 
.sular  State. 

As  an  editor  he  was  painstaking  and  thorough  in 
getting  at  all  the  facts  of  any  subject  which  needed 
the  touch  of  his  trenchant  pen.  He  made  confi- 
dants of  his  assistants,  and  was  ever  ready  to  heed 
and  accept  counsel  from  them  whenever  good  rea- 
sons were  given  why  any  particular  course  should 
be  pursued.  An  employe  who  was  capable,  honest, 
and  industrious  was  never  deserted  by  Wm.  S. 
George. 

— ii  ■ — — — — 4* 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


13 


Beside  liis  arduous  labors  as  a journalist  and 
business  man,  he  served  as  secretary  of  an  Odd 
Fellows’s  lodge,  patriarch  of  the  Sons  of  Temper- 
ance, a director  of  the  Lansing  National  bank,  vice 
president  of  the  Lansing  Library  and  Literary  Asso- 
ciation, and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  president 
of  the  Central  Michigan  Savings  bank. 

He  was  for  many  years  a member  of  the  repub- 
lican state  central  committee,  and  chairman  of  the 
republican  committee  of  Ingham  county.  In  1876 
he  was  a delegate  from  the  6tli  district  to  the  Cin- 
cinnati convention  which  nominated  Hayes  and 
Wheeler.  He  left  the  whigs  in  the  days  of  their 
strength  and  joined  the  free-soii  party,  from  which 
he  easily  changed  to  the  republican  organization. 
In  the  great  struggle  for  freedom  to  the  black  man 
as  well  as  the  white,  and  later  in  the  contest  for 
national  supremacy,  Mr.  George’s  ready  pen  was 
most  effectually  used  on  the  side  of  liberty  and 
union.  He  believed  in  the  doctrine  that  “ the  one 
sole,  sacred  thing  beneath  the  cope  of  heaven  is 
man,”  and  he  wras  ever  ready  to  defend  the  rights 
of  the  worthy  downtrodden. 

He  was  educated  in  the  orthodox  faith,  but  the 
convictions  of  his  mature  years  placed  him  among 
the  Unitarians.  He  was  for  seven  years  an  attend- 
ant at  Theodore  Parker’s  church  in  Boston,  and 
believed  that  the  nearer  right  a man  could  live  in 
this  world  the  better  off  would  he  be  in  the  world 
to  come. 


* 


14 


MEMORIAL  OF 


As  a citizen,  Mr.  George  showed  great  public 
spirit.  He  gave  munificently  for  all  charitable  pur- 
poses, and  the  needy  poor  never  appealed  to  him 
in  vain.  Many  a young  man  now  on  the  road  to 
prosperity  owes  his  success  to  the  sound  and  kindly 
advice  and  the  material  assistance  wrhich  he  receiv- 
ed from  W.  S.  George.  His  private  benefactions 
were  many  and  large,  and  but  few,  even  of  his 
most  intimate  friends,  knew  of  their  extent. 

He  took  great  interest  in  the  cause  of  education, 
and  especially  in  the  efficiency  and  thoroughness 
of  our  common  schools,  for  he  recognized  the  fact 
that  in  these  are  trained  the  great  masses  of  the 
common  people  on  whom  the  welfare  of  the  nation 
depends. 

In  form  Mr.  George  w7as  of  medium  height,  slen- 
der, sinewy,  and  active.  He  had  browui  hair,  blue 
eyes,  and  a florid  complexion.  He  was  one  of  the 
greatest  brain  workers  this  country  has  ever  pro- 
duced, and  until  the  last  year  had  hardly  known 
sickness  enough  to  disable  him  from  business. 
About  four  months  ago  his  health  became  impaired 
and  he  sought  for  rest  and  recuperation  at  the 
seaside.  He  was  somewhat  improved,  and  came 
home  on  Dec.  17  with  the  expectation  of  steadily 
regaining  his  former  strength.  He  wras  at  the  office 
on  Wednesday  last,  when  he  went  home  never  to 
return.  On  his  way  there  he  stopped  to  visit  two 
sick  employes,  and  while  there  wras  taken  with  a 
chill  from  which  he  never  rallied. 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


15 


i 


No  man  of  his  age  ever  lived  a busier  or  more 
useful  life.  His  family  have  lost  a devoted  hus- 
band and  an  affectionate  father,  the  community  a 
public-spirited  citizen,  and  his  large  force  of  em- 
ployes a kind-hearted  and  upright  employer.  As 
chief  editor  of  the  Republican  the  newspaper  fra- 
ternity of  Michigan  will  mourn  his  irreparable  loss. 

He  was  eminently  a just  man  in  all  his  dealings 
with  his  fellows,  and  was  ever  guided  by  the  high- 
est sense  of  honor.  He  was  genial  in  his  nature, 
and  while  he  felt  kindly  toward  all,  he  had  but 
few  friends  who  thoroughly  knewr  him,  for  he  made 
but  few  confidants.  Those  who  knew  him  best 
appreciated  and  loved  him  most. 

The  temperance  cause  in  Michigan  never  had  a 
truer  friend  or  a more  zealous  worker  than  W.  S. 
George. 

His  great  pleasure  in  life  was  in  the  home  circle 
where  all  of  his  time  was  spent  when  not  engaged 
in  the  active  duties  of  business.  As  long  as  his 
mother  lived  he  wras  her  solace  and  support.  To 
Mrs.  S.  L.  Papineau,  mother  of  Mrs.  George,  no 
son  could  have  been  more  devoted.  He  was  first 
married  in  1853,  again  in  1866,  and  the  third  time 
in  1876.  He  leaves  his  wife,  three  children,  and 
two  sisters,  one  in  Melrose  Highlands,  and  one  at 
Charlestown,  Mass. 


* * 


WILLIAM  S.  GEORGE. 


*Via  Lavicana  ad  fanum  Quietis. — Livy,  B.  IV. 

His  sun  goes  down  at  noon!  Now  darkness  lowers, 
Sudden  and  deep,  on  friends  who  knew  his  worth. 

All  hearts  are  faint.  Hushed  is  our  Christmas  mirth. 
Nipped  by  untimely  frost  our  festal  flowers! 

Chilled  in  their  flight  the  swift  and  glowing  hours! 

For  precious  friends  hid  in  death’s  dateless  night, 

The  poet  sings,  “we  well  may  drown  our  sight!” 

Others  may  praise,  as  they  have  known  him  best. 

His  ceaseless  toil,  his  word  and  courage  true; 

One  virtue,  like  a column,  stands  confessed! 

For  liberty  he  fought  his  whole  life  through. 

In  this  I love  him  more  than  all  the  rest. 

Happy  the  man,  with  foe  beneath  his  feet, 

Who  thus  beholds  his  triumph  all  complete! 

*Tlie  Temple  of  Rest  on  the  Via  Lavicana  heyoncl  the  Esquiline 
Gate,  St.  Augustine. 

George  Duffield. 

Detroit,  December  28,  1881. 


/ 


lurial  Amices. 


The  funeral  services  were  held  at  the  family  res- 
idence on  Seymour  street,  on  the  afternoon  of 
December  30.  Although  the  day  was  cold  and 
stormy,  there  was  a large  attendance  of  relatives, 
friends,  neighbors,  and  employes,  who  joined  in 
paying  a last  sad  tribute  to  this  leading  journalist, 
sagacious  and  upright  business  man,  public-spirited 
citizen  and  philanthropist.  Governor  Jerome  and 
many  State  officers  and  clerks  were  present,  and 
the  flags  on  the  State  capitol  were  placed  at  half- 
mast  in  honor  of  the  deceased. 

At  the  request  of  Mr.  George,  made  some  time 
previous  to  his  death,  the  following  gentlemen  were 
chosen  from  his  large  force  of  faithful  employes  to 
act  as  pall-bearers : George  F.  Strong,  0.  A.  Jenison, 
F.  D.  Carnahan,  Wm.  M.  Clark,  M.  Driscoll,  Wm. 
Van  Buren,  W.  S.  Wright,  and  J.  W.  King.  A pro- 
fusion of  flowers,  contributed  by  the  Agricultural 
College,  of  which  the  deceased  had  been  a staunch 
friend,  formed  a beautiful  feature  of  the  funeral 
decorations.  Prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  E.  Thomp- 
son, followed  by  scriptural  reading  by  Rev.  George 
Duffield,  while  a choir  composed  of  Mrs.  Sophie  H. 
Knight,  Miss  May  Paddack,  Miss  Kate  Marvin,  John 


18 


MEMORIAL  OF 


K.  Allen,  and  A.  0.  Bement,  sang  “ Nearer  my  God 
to  Thee,”  “ Sweet  by  and  by,”  and  chanted  “ The 
Lord  is  my  shepherd.” 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Sunderland  of  Ann  Arbor  then 
preached  the  following  touching  and  eloquent 

S IE  IR,  O 3ST. 

“Yea,  though  I walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death  I will  fear  no  evil,  for  thou  art  with  me ; thy  rod  and 
thy  staff  they  comfort  me.” — Psalm  23:  4. 

When  we  were  children  we  were  some  of  us  very 
foolishly  afraid  of  the  dark.  But  since  becoming- 
older  we  have  found  that  the  dark  has  no  power 
to  harm  us.  It  took  many  years  to  learn  it,  perhaps, 
but  at  last  we  have  learned  to  go  out  into  the  twi- 
light or  even  the  midnight  without  trembling. 

Will  we  ever  get  ourselves  taught  to  go  out,  or 
even  to  look  out  into  the  dark  of  death  without  fear  ? 

There  are  two  ways  of  meeting  objects  that  have 
about  them  elements  of  mystery  and  apprehension. 
One  is,  to  close  our  eyes  and  run  from  them.  The 
result  of  this  is,  of  course,  continued  mystery  and 
deepened  alarm.  The  other  w.ay  is  to  summon  up 
courage  and  calmness  to  go  to  the  thing  whose 
mystery  and  shadow  have  given  us  apprehension, 
and  steadily  look  at  it.  The  result  of  this  is,  gen- 
erally, a clearing  up  of  the  mystery,  or  at  least  a 
dispelling  of  the  alarm. 

Is  it  not  so  with  regard  to  death?  True,  death 
is  something  in  its  very  nature  strange  and  myste- 


Wm.  s.  geokge. 


19 


rious ; and  alas  ! poetry,  legend,  child-story,  popular 
imagination,  and,  worst  of  all,  cruel  theological 
teaching,  have  all  united  to  transform  its  mystery 
into  awfulness,  and  to  fill  its  shadow  with  vague 
dread  and  alarm.  This  is  most  unfortunate.  Is 
there  no  remedy?  Yes,  friends,  I think  there  is  a 
remedy,  and  it  is  simply  that  of  calm,  candid, 
looking.  I think  that  he  who  will  but  approach 
the  mystery  and  gaze  with  clear,  steadfast  vision 
into  its  heart,  will  almost  surely  go  away  having 
gained  a great  conquest. 

And  now  I wTish  to  tell  you  as  plainly  as  I can 
some  of  the  reasons  why  I think  so. 

1.  First  of  all,  it  is  wise  for  us  to  school  our- 
selves not  to  shudder  or  shrink  wTith  fear  when  we 
think  of  death  as  coming  to  our  loved  ones,  or 
when  wTe  ourselves  approach  it,  for  the  reason,  if 
no  other,  that  all  such  trembling  and  fear  will  do 
no  good,  but  only  evil.  It  can  have  no  effect 
whatever  to  avert  the  calamity  which  we  dread, 
but,  instead,  our  alarm  will  be  likely  actually  to 
hasten  it.  In  cholera  or  yellow  fever  epidemics, 
as  we  are  told  by  the  most  careful  investigators, 
nearly  or  quite  as  many  persons  die  of  fright  as  of 
the  disease  which  is  prevailing,  and  often  in  a 
given  city  or  town  where  panic  is  great,  more. 
And,  in  fact,  in  all  bodily  affections,  mental  condi- 
tions are  very  important.  All  physicians  under- 
stand that,  other  things  being  equal,  he  who  lives 


20 


MEMORIAL  OF 


in  constant  dread  of  a disease  is  more  likely  to 
have  it  than  is  he  who  has  no  fear;  and  in  the 
case  of  one  who  is  already  ill,  if  his  mind  can  be 
kept  calm,  and  brave,  and  hopeful,  much  has  been 
done  to  guide  the  disease  to  a happy  issue. 
Whereas,  if  fear  and  discouragement,  or  alarm  at 
the  thought  of  death  constantly  agitate  him,  his 
chances  of  recovery  are  thereby  materially  lessened. 
Here,  then,  is  plainly  a valid  reason  why  we  should 
all  school  ourselves  to  rise  above  superstition  and 
foolish  fear,  and  habitually  look  upon  death  as 
bravely  and  calmly  as  possible.  He  who  worries 
least  about  death,  either  for  himself  or  others,  hut 
interests  himself  heartily  in  life  with  all  its  joys 
and  experiences  and  work,  earnest  to  make  the 
most  of  the  days  and  years  as  they  go  by,  in  all 
high  and  glad  and  noble  ways,  is  doing  a great 
deal,  probably  much  more  than  he  understands,  not 
only  to  rob  death  of  its  gloomy  and  dreadful  aspect, 
but  actually  to  delay  the  time  of  its  coming. 

2.  A second  reason  which  ought  to  enable  us  to 
lay  aside  much  of  the  dread  which  so  often  attaches 
to  death  is,  that  when  it  comes  it  will  probably 
not  come  at  all  as' we  expect,  or  when  we  expect; 
nor  will  it  he  likely  to  be  anything  like  so  dreadful 
as  in  our  alarmed  states  of  mind  we  are  apt  to 
anticipate.  Apprehension  of  hard  deaths  or  of  pro- 
longed dying  agonies,  which  people  so  often  men- 
tally torture  themselves  with,  are  seldom  realized. 


*■ 


* 

Wm.  S.  GEORGE.  21 


An  eminent  medical  authority  writes : “ One  of  the 
most  common  notions  is,  that  pain  and  dying  are 
inseparable  companions.  But  the  truth  is,  they 
rarely  go  together.  Occasionally  the  act  of  dissolu- 
tion is  a painful  one,  but  this  is  a rare  exception 
to  the  general  rule.  The  rule  is  that  unconscious- 
ness, not  pain,  attends  the  final  act.  Painlessly  we 
come,  whence  we  know  not.  Painlessly  wTe  go, 
whither  we  know  not.  Nature  provides  an  anaes- 
thetic for  the  body  when  the  spirit  leaves  it.” 
Since  this  is  true,  then,  how  plainly  it  is  best  for  us, 
so  far  as  lies  in  our  power  (and  to  a large  extent 
it  does  lie  in  our  power)  to  put  away  all  disquiet- 
ing apprehensions  of  death  agonies,  and  the  like, 
as  unworthy  of  our  thought  for  a moment.  The  old 
Stoic  philosophers  of  Greece  and  Borne  used  to 
urge  that  the  terrors  that  are  connected  with  the 
thoughts  of  death,  are  the  results  of  a diseased 
imagination.  “Death,”  they  said,  “is  the  only 
evil  which  does  not  afflict  us  when  present.”  Surely 
then  we  ought  to  be  wise  enough  not  to  allow  it 
to  afflict  us  by  foolish  apprehensions  before  it  is 
present. 

3.  Again,  we  may  well  school  ourselves  to  look  for- 
ward to  death  without  alarm,  because  death  is  the 
end  of  earthly  sorrows  trouble,  failure,  disappoint- 
ment, evil,  suffering, — and  oh ! how  much  there  is 
of  all  these  in  every  human  life ! We  sometimes 
speak  of  the  “ angel  ” of  death.  Death  is  an  angel ; 


* 


22  MEMORIAL  OF 


and  it  were  well  that  wre  oftener  thought  of  him  as 
such.  He  is  an  angel  of  mercy — opening  prison 
doors,  freeing  slaves  from  cruel  masters,  closing 
toils  of  poverty,  ending  racking  pains,  calming 
troubled  breasts,  resting  aching  heads.  We  do  him 
injustice  when  we  call  him,  as  we  so  commonly 
do,  our  eneifiy.  He  is  our  friend.  Coleridge  is  right, 
the  good  man  does  have  always  and  everywhere 
at  least  three  friends,  “himself,  his  maker,  and 
his  angel  death.”  Yes,  and  it  might  be  added  that 
the  bad  man  also  has  at  least  two  of  these  as  his 
friends— his  maker  and  his  angel  death.  Himself 
is  his  only  enemy. 

How  insufferably  dreary  would  life  be  to  many  of 
the  children  of  men,  nay,  how  insufferably  dreary 
would  it  only  too  soon  become  to  us  all,  were  there 
no  visions  before  us  in  the  future  of  an  angel  hold-' 
ing  a key  to  an  exit  gate ! 

Who  has  not  heard  with  profound  pity  the  legend 
of  the  “Wandering  Jew,”  condemned  on  account 
of  cruelty  toward  the  Savior,  to  wander  up  and 
down  the  earth  without  permission  to  taste  death 
until  that  Savior’s  second  coming.  On  and  on  he 
lives,  as  the  representation  is,  seeing  generation 
after  generation  of  human  beings  pass  away,  and 
century  after  century  drag  wearily  by,  himself 
praying  ever  for  death,  but  refused  the  coveted 
boon. 

And  among  the  many  lialf-pagan  legends  that 

l 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


23 


were  connected  with  Ireland  during  the  middle 
ages,  there  is  a beautiful  one,  somewhat  similar  to 
this  of  the  Wandering  Jew.  It  is  called  “ The  Leg- 
end of  the  Islands  of  Life  and  Death.”  The  legend 
relates  that  in  a certain  lake  in  Munster  there 
were  two  islands;  into  the  first  death  could  not 
come;  into  the  second  it  was  permitted  to  enter. 
The  first  island,  however,  though  free  from  death, 
was  not  free  from  age,  sickness,  weariness  of  life, 
paroxysms  of  fearful  suffering,  and  all  the  ills  and 
evils  necessarily  attendant  upon  life.  The  result 
was,  the  inhabitants  soon  grew  tired  of  their  immor- 
tality, and  learned  to  look  with  intense  longing  upon 
the  opposite  island  where  men  were  kindly  permit- 
ted to  die.  At  length,  able  to  endure  their  condi- 
tion no  longer,  they  launched  their  barks  upon  the 
waters  which  separated  them  from  the  sweet  land 
where  death  was  known,  approached,  stepped  upon 
the  shore,  and  were  at  rest. 

How  deep  is  the  truth  that  lies  wrapped  up  in 
this  legend ! Looked  at  aright  death  is  not  the 
horrible  thing,  the  relentless  destroyer,  the  pitiless 
enemy,  that  he  has  been  represented  to  be.  Bather, 
as  I have  said,  he  is  an  angel  from  God,  sent  to 
end  the  strife, . the  struggle,  the  weariness,  the  pain, 
the  disappointment,  the  ills  and  evils  that  necessa- 
rily enter  more  or  less  into  every  earthly  life;  and 
to  say  to  the  sorrowing,  suffering,  toiling  sons  of 
men,  at  last,  “Peace,  peace!” 


* 


* 

24  MEMORIAL  OF 


4.  A fourth  reason  that  I mention  why  we  should 
be  calm  in  prospect  of  death  is  because  death  is 
something  natural,  not,  as  we  are  so  often  taught, 
something  unnatural.  It  is  as  natural  as  birth  or 
life,  as  much  a part  of  God’s  great  plan  and  order 
of  things ; and  hence,  whether  with  our  limited  wis- 
dom we  can  understand  how  or  not,  it  must  be 
wise,  and  right,  and  best,  best  even  for  us  wrho 
have  to  experience  it. 

Nor  when  I say  this  am  I unmindful  that  death 
means  separations  which  almost  crush  out  human 
lives  sometimes.  I am  not  unmindful  that,  look  at 
it  as  we  may,  it  is  the  bitterest  cup  that  man  has 
to  drink  in  this  world.  It  fills  human  eyes  with 
tears  and  human  hearts  with  pain  as  nothing  else 
does  in  all  the  experience  of  earth.  Hence  stand- 
ing in  its  presence,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at 
that  men  find  themselves  almost  irresistibly  pro- 
pounding the  old  questions,  so  often  asked  in  all 
ages,  I suppose,  since  the  world  began:  “Could 
not  God  have  made  a world  that  should  have  had 
no  need  of  death?  And  if  he  could,  why  did  he 
not?”  But  the  questions  are  too  large  for  us,— a 
thousand  times  too  large.  We  cannot  answer  them. 
And  if  pondering  them  makes  us  restive  or  rebel- 
lious, then  we  had  better  put  them  away,  and  with 
them  all  such  kind  of  questions  as  suggest  even  a 
hint  or  suspicion  that  any  other  order  or  plan  of 
things  could  be  better  than  that  which  is,  or  that 


* 


* 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


25 


* 


God’s  wisdom  may  not  be  the  highest,  or  his  re- 
gard for  all  his  creatures  the  most  perfect  and 
unfailing.  The  safest  creed,  nay  the  sanest  reason 
and  the  profoundest  philosophy  that  the  thought  of 
man  has  ever  reached,  is  that  which  seeks  not  to 
go  behind  what  is,  but  stops  reverently  at  that, 
sure  that  it  can  never  be  other  than  folly  and 
blasphemy  for  finite  wisdom  to  call  in  question 
infinite  wisdom,  or  for  the  created  to  say  complain- 
ingly  to  his  creator,  “Why  hast  thou  made  me 
thus?” 

So  then,  I say,  I think  we  have  here  a fourth  valid 
reason  why  we  should  teach  ourselves  ever  to  con- 
template death  without  alarm.  Death  is  not  un- 
natural, it  is  natural ; it  is  a part  of  the  great  plan 
and  providence  of  Him  who  has  made  the  world, 
and  all  of  us  who  are  in  the  world.  Granted  that 
with  our  limited  understanding  and  our  ignorance 
of  what  is  beyond  this  world,  we  cannot  under- 
stand more  than  in  very  small  part  how  it  can  be 
best,  yet  let  us  be  sure  it  is  best  or  else  it  would 
not  be. 

5.  A last  reason  that  I mention  why,  like  the 
Psalmist,  we  may  “fear  no  evil”  when  we  or  our 
loved  ones  approach  death,  is  the  thought  of  what 
lies  beyond  it.  Do  you  ask  what  is  beyond  death  ? 
I answer,  I believe  three  supreme  things : First, 

God  our  father ; second,  a continuance  and  identity 
of  being  for  all  intelligent  creatures ; and  third, 

A- 


◄ 


26  MEMORIAL  OF 


love.  These  three  supreme  things  I see  rising  up 
and  beckoning  us  with  shining  hands  into  the 
great  beyond  into  which  death  opens. 

First,  I say,  God  our  father  is  there.  I do  not 
by  this  mean,  that  he  is  not  here.  He  is  here,  as 
truly  as  you  or  I are ; hut  he  is  there  also,  in  that 
otherwhere  into  which  death  ushers  us.  And  what 
does  that  mean?  It  means  nothing  less  than  that 
that  other  world  will  be  a world  of  justice,  mercy, 
truth,  love,  paternity,  because  he  who  is  Mercy, 
Justice,  Truth,  Love,  Paternity,  is  there,  the  all  and 
in  all  of  it.  It  means  safety,  and  the  highest  pos- 
sible ultimate  good  to  all  the  children  of  men  in 
that  world,  because  he  who  carries  every  child  of 
his  forever  in  his  heart  has  framed  all  the  provi- 
dences of  that  world  as  well  as  of  this.  It  means  a 
world  that  is  not  to  be  dreaded  by  any  human 
being,  good  or  bad,  saint  or  sinner.  But  rather  a 
world  which  every  child  of  the  race  may  know  is 
full  of  the  ultimately  best  things.  Mark,  I do  not 
say  that  there  will  be  no  pain  there,  or  no  sorrow, 
or  no  regrets,  or  no  stings  of  conscience,  or  no 
punishments.  I do  not  say  it  will  be  a world  of 
unalloyed  felicity,  or  of  equal  felicity  to  the  good 
and  the  bad,  the  obedient  child  and  the  moral 
rebel.  I simply  say  that,  since  we  must  conceive 
that  he  who  is  holy,  just,  and  good,  who  is  at  once 
God  and  Father,  is  as  truly  there  as  here,  and  rules 
in  that  world  as  well  as  in  this,  therefore  every- 


* 


Wm.  s.  geokge. 


27 


thing  there  must  he  planned  for  the  ultimate  well- 
being, (may  be  to  be  reached  through  more  or  less 
of  pain  and  sorrow  and  chastisement,  yet  still  the 
ultimate  well-being)  of  every  human  child  of  his. 
Pain  is  not  necessarily  unkind,  nor  is  chastise- 
ment, sent  in  any  of  its  numerors  forms,  as  we 
have  all  learned  from  our  limited  earthly  experi- 
ence. If,  then,  pain  and  chastisement  shall  come 
in  the  world  of  the  hereafter,  as  it  seems  as  if 
they  must  come  to  some  of  us,  they  will  not  be 
unjust,  or  vindictive,  or  unkind,  or  in  any  way  out 
of  harmony  with  infinite  love  and  paternity.  They 
will  be  for  the  ultimate  good  of  all  to  whom  they 
come. 

So,  then,  I repeat,  the  first  object  which  I see 
in  the  great  beyond  to  which  death  opens, — God, 
the  universal  Father,  is  one  that  girds  me  mightily 
in  view  of  death.  I do  not  tremble  to  go  where  he 
is.  Take  him  out  of  that  world  and  death  would 
be  dreadful.  Change  him  into  anything  else  than 
what  I believe  him  to  be,  “the  same  yesterday, 
to-day,  and  forever,’’  and  death  would  be  unutter- 
ably dreadful.  But  leave  him  to  me  as  Jesus  re- 
veals him,  let  me  understand  that  God  is  my  ever- 
lasting Father,  and  that  the  world  beyond  death  is 
his  as  truly  as  this  world  is  his,  and  there  is  then 
no  terror  in  the  passage  thither.  Why  should 
there  be?  To  die  is  only  to  remove  from  one 
room  to  another  of  the  Father’s  house. 


28 


MEMO  KI AL  OF 


Again,  as  I look  through  the  opening  portal  of 
death,  I see  beyond  it  something  more  still.  I see, 
as  I have  said,  a continuance  and  identity  of  being 
for  us  all.  I see  an  existence  for  you  and  me  and 
all  our  human  brotherhood,  carried  right  on  into 
the  next  world  and  continuedr  there,  not  in  such  a 

i 

way  as  to  form  a new,  a strange  life,  governed 
according  to  principles  which  we  cannot  under- 
stand, and  utterly  dissevered  from  this  life  which 
we  are  now  living,  but  a life  which  is  in  the  truest 
and  deepest  sense  a continuance,  a sequel,  an  un- 
folding of  this,  indeed  a life  which  is  this,  only 
carried  onward  into  better  conditions  and  higher 
developments.  Growth,  development,  evolution,  is 
the  law  of  human  nature  in  this  world,  and  as 
mind  must  be  the  same  in  all  worlds,  we  cannot 
but  believe  that  growth,  development,  and  progress 
will  be  the  law  of  human  nature  in  the  world  to 
come. 

But  what  splendor  of  prophecy  and  promise  there 
is  in  this  thought ! Growth,  progress  forever  ! Why, 
who  can  even  think  it?  And  yet  just  this  is  what 
is  placed  before  us  to  believe.  Consider  what  a life 
so  brief  as  this  of  earth  may  accomplish.  What  a 
distance  in  knowledge  and  mental  power  a human 
being  travels  in  the  few  years  that  separates  the 
cradle  from  manhood!  As  a babe  he  knows  liter- 
ally nothing — not  his  right  hand  from  his  left,  not 
his  best  friend  from  his  worst  enemy,  not  a person 


* 


* 

Wm.  S.  GEORGE.  29 


from  a thing,  not  an  object  miles  away  from  an 
object  within  the  hand’s  reach;  not  colors,  not 
shapes,  not  names,  not  qualities;  not  others,  not 
himself.  He  is  little  more  than  a mere  bundle  of  un- 
realized possibilities.  But  when  he  has  become  a 
man,  who  can  tell  what  he  lias  knowledge  of? 
He  may  not  be  the  wisest  of  men,  but  who  can 
count  up  or  enumerate  the  things  which  any  com- 
monest man  among  us  knows  ? Try  it ; make  a 
catalogue,  and  you  shall  write  for  a life-time  and 
yet  not  have  written  down  all.  We  talk  about 
ignorant  men,  and  yet  really  there  are  no  ignorant 
men,  unless  they  are  idiots.  It  is  only  relatively, 
that  men  of  sound  mind  and  living  in  this  world 
where  everything  we  see  has  its  lesson  to  teach, 
are  ever  ignorant.  The  knowledge  even  of  him 
whose  life  has  been  spent  on  the  most  inaccessible 
mountains,  or  the  farthest  frontier,  is  nothing  less 
than  marvelous  in  the  sum  of  it,  if  once  you 
could  gather  together  and  express  absolutely  all. 
Compare  then,  I say,  first  the  distance  of  advance 
from  the  absolutely  knowledgeless  infant  to  him, 
that  relatively  ignorant  man ; then  again,  go  for- 
ward and  compare  the  distance  in  advance  from 
him,  that  so-called  ignorant  man,  to  one  who  is 
the  wisest  of  the  race,  on 3 whose  whole  life  has 
been  one  of  reading,  observation,  study,  and  thought, 
who  has  voyaged  up  and  down  through  history  and 
Science,  through  philosophy  and  art,  until  like 


* 


* 


* . 

30  MEMORIAL  OF 


a Milton  or  a Goethe  he  is  at  home  in  well-nigh 
every  department  of  human  thought  and  inquiry, 
and  then,  but  not  till  then,  are  you  able  even  to 
begin  to  understand  the  possibilities  of  the  human 
mind  under  favorable  conditions,  or  to  grasp  the 
great  thought  of  what  advance  in  knowledge  and 
growth  in  the  powers  and  capacities  of  the  human 
soul  must  mean  in  that  endless  life  to  which  we 
go.  All  this  in  the  few  brief  years  of  earth  ! What, 
then,  in  those  endless  ages  of  eternity? 

It  comes,  then,  just  to  this:  I look  through  the 
portal  of  death  and  see  myself  and  you  and  all  the 
race  passing  soon  to  the  other  side,  and  then  on  and 
on,  away,  and  upward,  and  onward,  until  all  are  lost 
beyond  the  possible  sight  of  such  as  remain  behind 
with  their  poor  mortal  vision.  Now  is  it  glorious  to 
know?  Is  there  something  to  be  desired  in  the 
thought  of  minds  expanding,  unfolding,  reaching 
out  toward  the  infinite  mind?  Then  why,  tell  me, 
should  we  shrink  or  shudder  when  we  contemplate 
death,  which  simply  opens  the  gateway  leading 
from  the  circumscribed  and  narrow  here,  out  and 
up  into  all  that  magnificent  and  limitless  beyond 
of  thought  and  knowledge  and  progress  ? 

Finally,  as  I look  through  the  open  gateway  of 
death,  I see  one  other  thing  still  in  the  great  be- 
yond. I see  Love  there;  and  I see  it  supreme, 
too,  as  it  has  never  been  in  this  world.  Is  it 
asked,  what  does  that  mean?  Ah,  friends,  what 


* 


* 


Wm.  S.  G-EORGrE.  31 


does  it  mean,  eternal  continuance,  growth  and  per- 
fecting of  human  love?  Is  the  love  of  earth  inex- 
pressibly precious  and  life  giving,  even  here  where 
its  rays  are  like  the  beams  of  tapers  in  the  night? 
How,  then,  will  it  be  in  a world  where  love  is  the 
sunlight,  of  a beautiful,  blessed,  glorious  day  that 
knows  no  night?  What  is  the  love  here  and  now, 
of  parent  or  child,  brother  or  sister,  husband  or 
wife,  or  dearest  earthly  friend?  What  then  will 
that  same  love  be  when  purified  of  its  alloy  and 
lifted  up  out  of  the  frailties  and  limitations  of 
earth,  into  the  perfection  of  heaven  ? Is  love  the 
very  sweetest,  highest,  holiest  thing  which  you,  so 
far  in  your  existence  here  on  earth,  know  anything 
of — the  very  central,  richest  chord  in  all  the  music 
of  your  life?  What  then  will  that  existence  be 
whose  whole  diapason  shall  be  tuned  to  the  music 
of  a love  higher  than  the  highest,  and  sweeter  than 
the  sweetest  ? 

“ Whether  there  be  prophecies,  they  shall  fail ; 
whether  there  be  tongues  they  shall  cease,”  says 
Paul,  “but  love  never  faileth.  Now  abideth  faith, 
hope,  love ; but  the  greatest  of  these  is  love.” 

And  this  glimpse,  which  through  the  opening 
portal  of  death  we  get  of  love  in  the  great  world 
beyond,  what  does  it  mean  as  touching  reunion  with 
friends  and  loved  ones  who  have  gone  before  us 
into  that  world  ? It  can  only  mean  one  thing  by  any 
possibility,  concerning  them,  and  that  is  that  there 


T 


32  MEMORIAL  OF 


must  be  reunions  of  friends  and  loved  ones  in  that 
world,  and  that  all  who  are  dear  to  us  must  be 
ours  forever.  To  give  us  affections  in  the  world  to 
come,  and  then  strip  us  of  all  or  any  of  the  objects 
around  which  in  all  the  years  of  our  earthly  lives 
those  affections  had  learned  to  twine  and  fasten 
themselves,  would  be  to  tear  our  very  hearts  to 
fragments,  and  leave  them  forever  most  cruelly 
bleeding.  But  God  cannot  have  ordered  that  such 
a future  as  that  shall  be  before  us  all.  He  is 
surely  not  a demon.  We  cannot  believe  that  he 
has  made  the  world  to  which  we  go  a mockery. 
What  then?  Then  our  loved  ones  are  to  be  with 
us  there.  To  be  in  a world  of  infinite  and  perfect 
love,  nay  to  be  in  a world  where  love  is  not  abso- 
lute torture,  torture  awful  and  remediless,  my  dear 
ones  sundered  from  me  by  death  must  be  mine 
again,  mine  forever,  not  one  of  all  the  number 
absent. 

Such  then,  dear  friends,  is  the  coming  world, 
which  I see  lying  sweet  and  fair  beyond  the 
shadow  of  the  tomb,  as  I stand  and  gaze  through 
the  open  door  of  death — through  the  door  of  death 
which  to-day  stands  ajar,  by  reason  of  the  passing 
through  of  him  who  has  just  left  our  side.  The 
land  I see  is  not  a lonely  or  desolate  land,  nor 
yet  is  it  a land  of  strangers.  They  are  there ! by 
faith  I see  them  all,  all  who  have  ever  been  dear 
to  me. 


* 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


33 


“They  have  all  gone  into  the  world  of  light! 

And  I alone  sit  lingering  here! 

Their  very  memory  is  fair  and  bright, 

And  my  sad  heart  doth  cheer. 

“Dear  beauteous  death! — the  jewel  of  the  just! 
Shining  nowhere  but  in  the  dark; 

AVhat  mysteries  do  lie  beyond  thy  dust, 

Could  man  outlook  that  mark! 

t 

“He  that  hath  found  some  fledged  birds  nest 
may  know 

At  first  sight  if  the  bird  be  flown; 

But  what  fair  dell  or  grove  he  sings  in  now, 

That  is  to  him  unknown. 

“And  yet  as  angels  in  some  brighter  dreams 
Call  to  the  soul  when  man  doth  sleep, 

So  some  strange  thoughts  transcend  our  wonted 
themes, 

And  into  glory  peep.” 

The  Mussulmans  have  a fable  about  Moses,  that, 
when  the  hour  of  his  departure  was  come,  God 
sent  the  angel  of  death,  who  appeared  before  him 
and  demanded  his  soul.  Moses,  cheerful  and  un- 
daunted, greeted  the  angel  with  a friendly  saluta- 
tion, but  questioned  his  right,  nevertheless,  to  touch 
a soul  that  had  had  communion  with  God.  The 
death-angel  was  baffled  at  such  assurance,  and 
knew  not  how  to  proceed,  for  death  and  Moses,  it 
seemed,  had  nothing  in  common.  Then  the  Lord, 
seeing  the  difficulty,  deputed  the  angel  of  paradise 
to  carry  to  him  an  apple  of  Eden;  and  as  Moses 


84 


MEMORIAL  OF 


inhaled  the  immortal  fragrance  his  spirit  went 
forth  from  him,  and  was  borne  upon  the  odors  of 
Eden  into  the  presence  of  the  Lord. 

Such  is  the  Mussulman’s  parable,  the  meaning  of 
which  is  this.  The  assurance  which  disputes  the 
power  of  death  is  the  human  spirit’s  unconquer- 
able faith  in  God, — the  faith 

“That  life  and  death  alike 
God’s  goodness  underlies.” 

Friends  and  brothers  may  God  give  us  all  that 
faith.  Then  indeed  with  the  Psalmist  shall  we 
each  be  able  to  sing  evermore,  “Yea,  though  I 
walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  I 
will  fear  no  evil,  for  thou  art  with  me ; thy  rod 
and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me.” 

Thus  I have  pointed  out  in  a very  brief  and 
imperfect  way,  what  seem  to  me  some  of  the  rea- 
sons why,  as  we  see  that  strange  something  which 
we  call  death  coming  and  laying  its  shadowy  hand 
upon  our  loved  ones,  and  also  why,  as  we  look 
forward  into  the  future  and  know  that  our  own  turn 
to  go  must  come  soon,  we  yet  may  be  calm  and 
peaceful,  full  of  courage  and  great  hope. 

A grand  old  man  upon  whose  head  the  snows  of 
seventy  and  four  winters  had  fallen,  as  he  stood  in 
the  evening  light  of  a wise  and  useful  life,  and 
looked  forward  with  no  shadow  of  fear  to  the  ap- 
proaching sunset  wrote  these  beautiful  words : 


Wm.  S . GEORGE. 


35 


“With  calm  and  patient  trust  I wait 
The  slow  and  sure  approach  of  fate. 

What  may  betide  me  where  I go 
I know  not,  and  I need  not  know. 

I know  my  Maker  kind  and  just; 

This  is  enough,  I calmly  trust. 

“My  eyes  are  dim  to  things  around, 

My  ears  are  dull  to  common  sound; 

And  yet,  far  gleaming  on  my  sight, 

I think  I see  a surer  light, 

And  hear  harmonious  wavelets  beat— 

Prelude  of  something  strangely  sweet. 

“I  long  a higher  life  to  know; 

To  better  thoughts  I fain  would  grow; 

God  gave  the  hope:  He  must  ordain 
The  hope  he  gave  shall  not  be  vain. 

Therefore  that  higher  life  must  be; 

His  justice  is  my  guaranty. 

“I  seek  no  aid  from  churchly  creed; 

Life’s  daily  facts  supply  my  need. 

That  he  is  just  and  kind  I know; 

My  life’s  experience  proves  it  so. 

Doubt  hath  no  place,  no  ill  abides 
Where  He,  the  just  and  kind,  presides. 

“Then  pass,  ye  earthly  things,  away; 

Sink,  toil-worn  frame,  to  swift  decay; 

The  parting  clouds  unveil  the  light, 

And  clearer  vision  glads  my  sight. 

Long  waiting  soul  be  of  good  cheer, 

The  end  draws  nigh,  thy  hope  is  near.” 

Oh  beautiful  words ! Oil  song  of  victory ! Dear 
friends,  as  we  see  one  after  another  of  those  dear 


36 


MEMORIAL  OF 


to  us  passing  out  of  our  sight,  and  are  reminded 
that  it  cannot  be  long  before  we  too  must  go,  may 
such  a calm  and  confident  trust  in  Him  who  is 
over  all,  fill  our  hearts.  Thus  shall  all  fear  fly 
away  like  a morning  cloud. 

I cannot  close  without  a fewT  words  of  a more 
personal  character  than  any  that  I have  yet  spoken. 
Such  a life  as  this  that  has  just  ended  its  earthly 
career  before  our  eyes,  should  not  be  allowed  to 
pass  without  leaving  its  lessons  for  our  instruction. 
I see  in  it  two  or  three  most  worthy  lessons,  which 
we  who  remain  behind  will  not  be  w7ise  if  we  do 
not  learn. 

First,  it  has  in  it  a lesson  for  young  men  who 
are  just  setting  out  on  their  career  of  activity  and 
desire  to  win  business  success.  Few  men  of  our 
day  have  been  finer  examples  to  those  who  are 
coming  after  them  of  what  the  business  man 
should  be,  and  of  those  habits  of  work  and  quali- 
ties of  character,  which  everywhere  win  respect 
and  accomplish  large  results.  From  a boyhood  of 
hardship  and  limited  advantages  Wm.  S.  George 
rose  to  a manhood  of  unusually  wide  intelligence 
and  influence,  and  all  by  his  own  unaided  energy, 
perseverance,  will,  promptness,  methodical  business 
habits,  industry,  and,  above; all,  integrity.  Let 
those  who  are  setting  out  in  life  and  wrould  accom- 
plish such  a life  work  as  lm  has  accomplished, 
and  win  such  esteem  and  confidence  from  others 


* 


* 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE.  87 


as  he  has  won,  study  well  his  career  and  character. 
They  can  find  no  wiser  or  nobler  book. 

A second  and  still  more  important  lesson  which 
his  life  should  teach  us  all,  both  young  and  old, 
is  the  grandeur  of  living  for  moral  ends.  In  his 
very  earliest  childhood,  and  on  his  father’s  knee, 
our  esteemed  brother  and  friend  learned  to  care 
for  the  oppressed — the  slaves  at  the  south  who,  in 
that  day,  had  few  to  plead  their  cause. 

Thus  early  did  he  begin  to  think  and  feel  for 
others  beside  himself,  and  those  who  were  less 
favored  then  he.  And  this  was  the  key  note  of  all 
his  life.  As  he  grew  to  manhood  his  interest  in 
reform  increased,  and  long  before  he  was  of  age 
had  he  enlisted  his  heart,  his  brain,  and  his  keen 
pen  in  the  great  anti-slavery  movement  in  imme- 
diate association  with  Garrison,  Parker,  Samuel  J. 
May,  Phillips,  and  their  colleagues.  And  from  that 
time  until  the  war  closed  and  the  slaves  were  free, 
did  his  zeal  or  interest  in  the  cause  in  which  he 
had  enlisted  not  for  one  moment  abate.  Nor  did  he 
cease  to  be  a friend  of  the  colored  people  and  a labor- 
er for  their  good,  after  the  shackles  had  fallen  from 
their  limbs.  Till  his  death  they  were  steadily  in  his 
mind  and  heart,  and  much  of  the  most  earnest 
writing  that  he  lias;  done  in  all  these  latter  years 
has  been  in  their  behalf,  in  advocacy  of  measures 
which  seemed  to  hinx  wrere  necessary  to  help  them 
up  to  a position  of  equality  with  their  white  breth- 
ren in  the  south. 


* 


* 


38 


MEMORIAL  OF 


Nor  did  his  sympathy  stop  with  the  suffering  and 
needy  of  another  color  from  his  own.  His  whole 
life  was  one  of  philanthropy,  of  charity,  of  advocacy 
of  what  he  believed  to  be  reforms,  of  assistance 
rendered  by  pen,  by  hand,  by  council,  by  sympa- 
thy, by  purse,  to  those  who  were  in  wrant  or  dis- 
tress. In  all  the  later  years  of  his  life  the  cause 
of  temperance  in  this  country  has  had  few  more 
earnest  or  able  promoters. 

And  so,  as  he  passes  out  of  our  sight,  wre  see 
with  joy  that  the  great  host  of  those  who  rise  up 
to  call  him  blessed,  includes  not  only  those  who 
once  were  slaves  to  southern  task-masters,  now  free 
by  his  efforts  and  the  efforts  of  such  as  he,  but 
also  it  includes  a vast  company  of  others,  known 
only  to  themselves — young  men  whom  he  had  be- 
friended, neglected  children  whom  he  had  helped 
to  homes,  drunkards  whom  he  had  been  instru- 
mental in  reforming,  the  suffering  to  whom  he  had 
ministered,  the  common  people  whose  cause  he  had 
maintained,  employes  connected  with  his  own  busi- 
ness, to  whom  he  had  been  almost  a father.  I say 
a company  larger  than  anyone  knows,  made  up 
of  these  classes,  will  ever  more  thank  God  that  he 
has  lived. 

And  oh ! friends,  standing  as  we  do  to-day  in  the 
presence  of  such  a life,  a life  thus  lived  for  noble 
ends  of  usefulness,  how  small  and  poor  seems  any 
life  lived  only  for  self.  How  puny  and  pitiful 


* 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


89 


seems  mere  money  making,  or  mere  place  seeking, 
or  mere  self-indulgence,  or  luxury,  or  ease,  com- 
pared with  doing  good,  compared  with  living  to 
make  justice,  and  truth,  and  right  to  prevail  on 
the  earth.  Oh,  as  we  stand  beside  his  cold  clay 
to-day,  may  we  all  dedicate  ourselves  to  high 
moral  aims  in  life,  and  resolve,  God  helping  us, 
that  we  will  give  our  days  on  earth,  more  earnestly 
than  we  have  ever  done,  to  drying  up  the  sorrow, 
and  suffering,  and  ignorance,  and  wrong  there  are 
all  around  us  in  society. 

Let  his  precious  ashes  he  our  altar  of  consecra- 
tion; and  then  shall  he  bless  the  world  by  his 
death,  as  he  has  in  so  many  ways  by  his  life. 

And  now  what  shall  I say  to  you  who  mourn 
most  sadly  of  all  to-day,  you  who  are  members  of 
this  stricken  home.  I do  not  ask  you  not  to  weep, 
for  I know  your  hearts  are  human.  Yet  after  all 
I may  remind  you  that  it  is  better  to  look  up  than 
down,  even  though  it  be  through  tears.  While  you 
cannot  but  be  sad,  yet  there  is  much  that  you  may 
well  rejoice  and  thank  God  for,  even  in  your  sor- 
row. It  is  cause  for  gratitude  that  you  had  your 
loved  one  with  you  so  long.  If  a friend  gives  us  a 
bouquet  of  beautiful  flowers,  we  do  not  forget  the 
kindness  of  the  giver  in  complaining  that  the 
flowers  do  not  last  forever.  So  let  us  not  forget 
God’s  goodness  in  giving  us  our  dear  ones,  even  if 
we  cannot  keep  them  at  our  side  all  the  way 
through  our  earthly  journey. 


40  MEMORIAL  OF 


“’Tis  better  to  have  loved  and  lost 
Than  never  to  have  loved  at  all.” 

Furthermore,  we  have  great  reason  to  be  grateful 
for  the  precious  legacies  of  memory  and  of  influence 
which  our  dead  leave  behind  them.  They  do  not 
leave  us  empty  handed  or  empty  hearted,  lonely  as 
we  are  when  they  are  gone.  They  rest  from  their 
labors,  but  their  works  live  after  them;  their  influ- 
ence abides ; their  memory  is  ever  green  in  our 
hearts,  and  ever  something  more  precious  to  us 
than  any  wealth  of  earth  can  buy.  Let  us  thank 
God  that  it  is  so.  Let  us  thank  God  that  he  who 
has  gone  from  us  had  made  his  life  so  useful.  His 
religion  was  to  do  good.  He  believed  that  the  way 
to  secure  the  approbation  of  heaven  is  to  serve  well 
one’s  day  and  generation,  and  do  well  the  work  in 
life  that  is  given  one  to  do.  With  this  belief  he 
could  not  fear  death  or  what  might  be  beyond  death. 
To  him  death  was  as  natural  as  life,  and  the  world 
to  which  it  opens  must  be  full  of  justice  and  good- 
ness, because  it  is  His  world  who  is  just  and  good. 
Ever  by  day  and  • by  night,  in  sickness  and  in 
health,  in  life  and  in  death,  the  beautiful  song 
sung  itself  down  deep  in  his  heart : 

“I  know  not  where  God’s  islands  lift 
Their  fronded  palms  in  air; 

But  this  I know,  I cannot  drift 
Beyond  His  love  and  care.” 

For  this  we  may  well  be  grateful  to  God.  And  we 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


41 


> 


may  well  be  equally  grateful  also,  that  you,  dear 
friends,  who  remain  behind  to  mourn  his  departure, 
do  not  mourn  as  those  who  have  no  hope,  but  that 
you  too  are  comforted  in  your  sorrow  by  the  same 
beautiful  faith  which  cheered  him. 

And  now,  may  God’s  blessing  be  upon  you  all ! 
May  the  everlasting  arms  be  round  about  you. 
May  He,  who  is  a present  help  in  every  time  of 
need,  be  with  you  in  your  affliction  to  heal  the 
broken  hearts  and  bind  up  the  wounds. 


§£r.  (Skovgc’s  public  (Ehavactrr, 


BY  REV.  GEORGE  DUFFIELD. 


As  in  almost  every  face  there  is  one  predominant 
feature  or  expression,  so  in  every  strong  and  posi- 
tive character  there  is  some  one  predominant  trait 
that  constitutes  its  true  unity.  Whether  it  be 
avarice  or  the  love  of  wealth,  ambition  or  the  love 
of  power,  curiosity  or  the  love  of  knowledge,  or 
philanthropy,  the  love  of  one’s  kind,  the  one  thing 
to  which  the  whole  heart  goes  out  is  that  which 
determines  the  man;  it  is  the  true  criterion  by 
which  to  estimate  the  nature  and  value  of  his 
character  as  it  goes  down  to  posterity. 

In  the  life  of  Mr.  George  the  one  great  and  all 
pervading  characteristic  is  easy  to  discover.  It  was 
obvious  on  the  very  face  of  it.  It  kindled  in  his 
eye,  it  glowed  in  his  countenance.  It  began  in  his 
early  childhood,  it  continued  to  his  latest  hour. 
Those  who  knew  him  best  and  loved  him  most 
would  unhesitatingly  declare,  that  what  constituted 
the  real  strength  and  glory  of  his  character  was 
his  ardent  and  unquenchable  love  of  liberty. 

Others  learn  what  liberty  is  at  the  college  or 
university;  from  the  philosopher,  in  the  way  of 

A 


* 


* 

Wm.  S.  GEORGE.  43 


analysis  ancl  abstract  definition,  or  from  the  his- 
torian, by  what  it  has  been  in  the  past ; that  is, 
they  know  it  in  the  general.  His  peculiar  privilege 
it  was  to  learn,  so  to  speak,  who  she  was,  in  her 
very  temple,  while  ministering  before  her  burning 
altars,  under  the  lead  of  some  of  the  choicest 
spirits  of  all  time;  not  only  to  know  her,  but  to 
love  her  in  his  inmost  soul.  True,  he  was  among 
the  very  youngest  of  these  men;  he  had  never 
enjoyed  the  same  social  advantages,  nor  the  same 
advantages  of  education;  but  how  little  did  this 
matter  when  they  themselves  were  his  teachers, 
and  it  was  daily  his  delight  to  conform  to  their 
sublime  example.  In  his  life,  such  was  his  natural 
modesty  and  dislike  of  praise,  he  would  have  well- 
nigh  deemed  it  sacrilege  to  have  heard  his  name 
mentioned  in  the  same  category,  but  now  that  he 
has  gone,  in  enrolling  him  as  a pupil  of  these  noble 
men  we  but  indicate  the  source  from  whence  he 
derived  his  inspiration  to  battle  in  the  cause  of 
liberty. 

It  is  impossible  to  depict  the  character  of  Mr. 
George  apart  from  his  noble  teachers  in  the  gigan- 
tic struggle  for  American  freedom.  He  must  be 
judged  by  the  times  in  which  he  lived.  He  was 
worthy  of  his  Puritan  ancestry.  As  a soldier  in 
the  ranks  he  engaged  in  some  of  the  most  trying 
conflicts  for  freedom.  He  was  thoroughly  posted  in 
every  event,  just  as  it  occurred,  which  enabled  him 

•i* 


44 


MEMORIAL  OF 


fully  to  comprehend  its  ultimate  consequences.  We 
do  not  wonder  at  the  character  thus  developed ; our 
only  wronder,  how  it  could  be  otherwise ! Their 
likenesses  not  only  hung  upon  his  walls,  but  were 
cherished  in  the  sky-lighted  chamber  of  a grateful 
memory  to  the  very  last.  Think  of  the  names,  one 
after  the  other,  that  fall  upon  your  ears  as  we 
recount  the  early  period  of  his  life. 

As  a young  citizen  of  Boston,  within  sight  of 
Faneuil  Hall  with  all  its  sacred  memories,  within 
two  hours  of  Plymouth  rock,  within  a single  hour 
of  Concord  and  Lexington,  in  sight  of  Bunker  Hill 
and  perfectly  familiar  with  all  its  associations,  the 
genius  loci  was  instinct  with  liberty;  as  a dweller 
in  that  city  at  the  one  supreme  time  in  all  its  his- 
tory, when  liberty  was  in  her  most  grievous  peril, 
when  “cotton  was  king”  and  our  “southern  mas- 
ters” made  their  open  boasts  that  slavery  had 
become  national,  and  they  could  now  “call  the  roll 
of  their  slaves  on  Bunker  Hill;”  as  the  loyal  fol- 
lower of  Senator  Wilson,  the  “Natick  shoemaker” 
and  the  first  great  “war  governor,”  Andrew,  who 
magnified  his  office  and  gave  the  true  inspiration 
to  Governor  Morton  and  all  the  rest;  as  the  secret 
friend  and  correspondent  of  William  Lloyd  Garri- 
son and  his  daring  “ Liberator  ”"  when  there  were 
no  names  too  infamous  for  that  “incendiary 
sheet,”  and  when  the  correspondent  was  in  as  much 
danger  of  being  dragged  through  the  streets  of  Bos- 


— — — 

Wm.  S.  GEORGE.  45 


ton  by  a “respectable  and  influential”  mob  as  the 
editor  himself;  as  a sympathetic  friend  of  John 
Brown  of  Ossawotomie,  and  an  active  abettor  in  his 
heroic  designs  of  liberating  Kansas  and  thwarting 
the  bloody  conspiracy  of  the  border  ruffians  of 
Missouri;  as  one  of  the  “minute  men”  or  member 
of  the  vigilance  committee  who  endeavored  to  res- 
cue the  fugitive  slaves  Thomas  Sims  and  Anthony 
Burns  from  being  taken  back  to  bondage,  under 
“the  iniquitous  enactment,”  which  he  scorned  to 
recognize  as  law,  and  who  withstood  Marshall 
Tukey  to  his  face ; as  the  enthusiastic  admirer  of 
the  impassioned  speeches  of  Wendell  Phillips,  and 
the  logical  and  unanswerable  orations  of  the  nearly 
martyred  Sumner;  as  the  constant  and  delighted 
reader  of  the  anti-slavery  poems  of  Whittier,  and 
Longfellow,  and  Low^ell,  those  “winged  w7ords”  that 
w7ent  further  even  than  speeches  and  editorials ; 
above  all,  as  the  deeply  attentive  and  unfailing 
hearer  of  Theodore  Parker’s  marvelous  political 
sermons  in  Music  Hall,  one  at  least  of  which  was 
w7ritten  by  this  Jupiter  of  the  Pulpit,  “ with  a 
pistol  on  his  desk,  loaded,  writh  a cap  on  the  nip- 
ple, ready  for  action,  and  with  a drawn  sw7ord 
within  reach  of  his  right  hand,”  the  antecedents 
and  surroundings  of  Mr.  George  were  singularly 
fortunate.  The  atmosphere  in  which  for  some  years 
he  drew  his  every  breath,  was  perhaps  as  highly 
sur- charged  with  the  oxygen  of  freedom  as  in  the 


46 


MEMORIAL  OF 


days  of  those  grand  old  continental  patriots,  Sam- 
uel Adams,  Otis,  and  Jonathan  Mayhew.  Stern  and 
rugged  men  they  were,  that  came  to  the  front  in 
the  Republic’s  most  dire  and  heroic  age,  and  our 
young  republic  will  do  well  to  keep  their  names 
and  deeds  in  ever  fresh  remembrance.  Like  the 
old  Latins,  while  they  admire  the  “ alta  mosnia,” 
let  them  remember  also  the  “ Albani  patres  ” who 
built  them.  They  were  men  of  Titan  mould  in- 
deed, and  to  have  their  friendship  as  Mr.  George 
did,  and  be  allowed  to  avail  himself  of  the  stores  of 
information  contained  in  such  a library  as  that  of 
Theodore  Parker,  was  in  and  of  itself  no  little 
meed  of  praise. 

But  he  was  not  merely  known  by  these  teachers. 
His  loyalty  to  them  was  an  intelligent  one,  and  he 
was  equally  identified  with  their  principles  as  with 
themselves.  In  sketching  these  in  the  general,  we 
are  thus,  in  the  most  easy  and  natural  way,  delin- 
eating his  own  in  particular.  The  time  was,  and 
that  not  very  long  since,  when  a variety  of  causes 
would  not  permit  such  a sketch,  or  at  least  it  would 
have  been  considered  quite  unwelcome  and  of  very 
doubtful  utility.  But  such  a day  as  that  will  never 
come  in  the  future  history  of  free  America.  It  can 
only  be  when  her  stars  and  stripes  are  again  at 
half  mast,  and  her  boasted  liberty  is  “ a flaunting 
lie.”  Another  and  much  abler  hand  than  mine 
should  embalm  these  men  in  their  own  principles; 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


47 


but  so  good  an  opportunity  rarely  offers,  and  duty 
seems  imperative. 

As  Morton  said  of  Wilson,  so  may  we  say  of 
them  all:  “Their  great  strength  was  in  their  con- 

victions. They  were  men  of  ideas,  and  relied  upon 
ideas  for  success.  They  were  men  of  courage. 
They  dared  to  follow  their  convictions  wherever  they 
led  them.”  Yes,  they  were  men  of  strength,  tough 
and  unyielding  as  the  gnarled  oak  ; no  labor  dis- 
couraged them,  no  contingency  appalled  them,  no 
disadvantage  dismayed  them,  no  defeat  disheart- 
ened them.  Like  their  great  leader,  Garrison,  each 
of  them  could  say,  “ I am  in  earnest,  I will  not 
equivocate,  I will  not  excuse,  I will  not  retreat  a 
single  inch,  and  I will  be  heard.”  They  were  men 
of  ideas,  “one-ideaed  men,”  if  you  will,  but  an 
order  of  natural  prophets  who  had  a message  to 
deliver,  and  could  not  do  otherwise.  Few  men 
more  than  they  believed  in  the  absolute  and  essen- 
tial importance  of  human  development ; and  if  the 
secret  of  history  is  to  conjecture  the  way  by  which 
God  is  leading  to  the  final  destiny  of  man,  they 
were  prophets  indeed. 

Reckless  to  no  little  extent  of  other  creeds,  they 
had,  in  three  words,  a creed  of  their  own,  “God, 
duty,  immortality.”  Honoring  free  labor  as  much 
as  they  hated  slavery,  they  were  not  ashamed  to 
say  with  Wilson,  “though  I have  toiled  for  wages 
at  manual  labor,  I never  felt  galled  by  any  degra- 


dation.”  Believing  that  freedom  was  the  great 
objective  point  of  the  revolution  of  Seventy-six, 
they  proposed  under  the  leadership  of  John  Quincy 
Adams  to  set  the  constitution  of  the  United  States 
four  square  on  the  doctrine  of  human  rights  as 
maintained  in  the  declaration  of  independence,  and 
they  did  it ! Vindicating  in  their  own  persons  the 
right  of  free  speech  and  free  discussion,  they  not 
unfrequently,  amid  showers  of  missiles,  spoke  at  the 
hazard  of  their  lives.  Claiming  for  a free  press  the 
merit  of  being  everywhere  the  friend  of  liberty  and 
the  peculiar  dread  of  tyrants,  they  were  ever  will- 
ing, like  the  martyr  Lovejoy,  to  die  for  its  sake. 
Nothing  is  more  remarkable  than  the  sublime  con- 
fidence of  their  faith  as  to  the  final  issue  of  this 
unequal  conflict.  “One  is  always  a majority  with 
God!”  “Better  to  be  in  a majority  with  God,  in 
defense  of  the  right,  than  live  and  die  like  Herod, 
having  the  shouts  of  the  multitude  ! ” “ The  con- 

sequences of  a first  principle  cannot  be  escaped, 
and  sooner  or  later  it  must  prevail!”  “The  people 
are  to  be  trusted.  There  is  another  day  after  to- 
day. Have  faith!  Have  faith!”  “One  man  with 
a belief  is  a greater  power  than  a thousand  that 
have  only  interests  ! ” “ Nothing  is  settled  until  it  is 

settled  right ! ” These  and  such-like  watch-words 
flashed  like  lightning,  and  their  thunder  shook  the 
hemisphere  as  they  marshaled  their  forces  for  the 
“irrepressible  conflict.” 


Wm.  s.  geokge. 


49 


But  the  conflict  was  not  merely  a single  battle. 
It  was  a war  of  many  campaigns.  At  one  time  it 
was  the  sin  of  slavery,  and  Garrison  led  in  the  appeal 
to  the  national  conscience.  At  another  it  was  the 
repeal  of  slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  and 
the  protection  of  Kansas  and  other  territories 
“ under  the  constitution  and  laws  of  the  Federal 
government,”  and  Sumner  led.  Still  again  it  was 
the  “unjust  and  cowardly”  war  with  Mexico  and 
the  fugitive  slave  law,  and  Parker  was  in  the  van. 
Omitting  others,  last  of  all  it  was  the  ever  memor- 
able Virginia  campaign  of  John  Brown  at  Harper’s 
Ferry,  which  was  the  beginning  of  the  end,  of  the 
great  war  for  the  Union,  which  terminated  in  so 
immense  a triumph.  Instead  of  the  Crittenden  com- 
promise, slavery  abolished  in  the  District  of  Col- 
umbia ; instead  of  the  Kansas-Nebraska  bill,  slavery 
abolished  in  the  territories ; instead  of  the  slave 
trade  reopened,  that  same  trade  suppressed  as 
piracy;  instead  of  the  fugitive  slave  law  and  the 
Dred-Scott  decision,  emancipation  proclaimed  by 
President  Lincoln  and  ratified  by  an  amendment  to 
the  constitution  ! Only  those  who,  like  Mr.  George, 
labored  through  the  anti- slavery  struggle,  the  war 
period,  and  the  years  of  reconstruction,  and  were 
permitted  to  witness  a victory  of  such  magnificent 
proportions,  can  understand  how  great  the  joy  with 
which  these  soldiers  of  liberty  hung  up  their  armor 
in  her  redeemed  temple.  These  men  did  not  live 


50 


MEMORIAL  OF 


in  vain.  They  knew  what  the  Greeks  meant  by  a 
word  that  cannot  be  rendered  into  English,  how  to 
live  the  life  of  a true  citizen.  Thus  did  they  trans- 
fuse their  lives  into  that  of  their  country,  and  trans- 
mit to  posterity  the  noblest  inheritance  of  liberty 
ever  sent  down  to  the  ages.  Thus  have  they  taught 
us  that  life  means  work,  and  left  an  example  of 
public  spirit  those  who  come  after  them  would  do 
well  to  imitate. 

“Though  small  thy  gift  may  seem  to  be 
Withhold  it  not;  for  like  the  night 
By  countless  little  stars  made  bright. 

Thy  offering,  joined  to  thousand  more 
May  brighten  dwellings  dark  before.” 

There  was  one  respect  in  which  the  youth  of  Mr. 
George  gave  him  a decided  advantage  over  his 
eastern  associates.  He  lived  long  enough  to  have  a 
western  development.  In  1860  with  Mr.  Samuel 
Bowles  as  editor-in-chief,  he  became  assistant  editor 
of  the  Springfield  Republican,  the  model  newspaper 
of  its  kind  in  the  whole  country.  The  proprietors  of 
the  Detroit  Advertiser  and  Tribune  having  written  to 
Mr.  Bowles  to  send  them  a thorough,  competent 
editor,  Mr.  George  was  sent  as  such,  with  an  intro- 
ductory letter  from  Mr.  B.,  and  a very  complimen- 
tary endorsement  of  his  abilities,  which  his  subse- 
quent career  abundantly  verified.  From  this  time 
forward  to  the  day  of  his  death  we  have  the  testi- 
mony of  his  intimate  personal  friend,  Hon.  Y.  P. 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


51 


Collier  of  Battle  Creek,  and  others,  as  to  the 
increasing  value  of  his  labors.  As  a member  of 
the  executive  committee,  and  especially  as  editor  of 
the  Lansing  Bepublican,  it  is  their  full  belief  that 
he  did  more  to  consolidate  the  party  to  which  he 
was  deeply  attached,  to  mould  its  policy  and  direct 
its  movements  than  any  other  man  in  the  state. 
The  very  backbone  of  this  party  he  considered  to 
be  the  principles  for  which  he  had  so  long  con- 
tended, and  in  the  triumph  of  Garfield  he  believed 
their  triumph  to  be  final  and  complete.  But  the 
remainder  of  this  topic  will  be  considered  under 
another  head  and  by  another  pen. 


§h>gvaphif  j^hctch  by  §ji$  lister. 


The  childhood  and  youth  of  Mr.  George,  as  so 
often  happens,  were  quite  characteristic  of  the  com- 
ing man.  When  only  two  years  old  he  began  to 
go  to  the  village  store  on  trivial  errands,  and  from 
that  time  forward  his  exactness  in  this  respect  was 
a marvel  to  all  who  knew  him.  At  school  he  was 
equally  remarkable  for  his  punctuality,  his  truth- 
fulness, and  the  excellence  of  his  memory.  Even 
then  the  thought  impressed  itself  upon  his  inmost 
soul  that  life  meant  work.  His  triumph  when  he 
came  out  first  and  “spelled  down”  the  whole  school 
he  enjoyed  less  as  the  exultation  of  ambition  than 
as  the  reward  of  industry. 

But  study  did  not  make  him  morose  or  selfish. 
He  enjoyed  his  play  as  much  as  any  of  his  com- 
panions. He  liked  pigeons,  rabbits,  and  all  sorts 
of  pets.  Nothing  pleased  him  better  than  to  work 
in  the  garden,  and  make  up  the  flower  beds  with 
neatness  and  precision.  Whoever  else  might  neg- 
lect theirs,  no  weeds  ever  grew  in  his  bed.  This 
neatness  extended  to  his  clothing,  books,  and  every- 
thing else,  and  such  was  his  love  of  order  that  at 
any  time  he  could  find  what  he  wanted  in  the  dark. 

The  unselfishness  and  devotion  of  his  home  life 


Wm,  S.  GEORGE. 


58 


his  sisters  will  ever  remember  with  no  ordinary 
gratitude.  In  winter  when  he  dragged  them  on  his 
sled  down  one  long  slippery  hill  and  then  up  an- 
other, on  the  summit  of  which  towered  the  old 
meeting-house,  and  hard  by  the  square  brown 
school-house,  many  were  the  lessons  he  would  in- 
culcate as  to  the  duty  and  pleasure  of  spending 
life  in  rendering  service  to  others.  This  sense  of 
responsibility  for  his  sisters  extended  still  further, 
and  from  year  to  year  all  the  young  folks  of  our 
circle,  especially  the  young  gentlemen,  were  reviewed 
by  him  to  see  if  they  were  worthy  of  confidence, 
and  very  kindly  was  his  advice  given  as  to  those 
whose  intimacy  was  not  desirable.  Such  was  his 
love  of  truth,  that  his  reputation  in  this  respect 
was  equally  honorable  at  home,  in  school,  and 
among  his  neighbors.  To  this  love  of  truth  may 
well  be  added  an  innate  sense  of  justice.  While 
he  would  give  good  measure  when  he  sold,  he  was 
strenuous  to  exact  equally  good  measure  when  he 
bought.  In  after  life  this  quality  became  so  con- 
spicuous, that  those  who  did  not  know  him  on 
both  sides  could  scarcely  be  said  to  know  him  at 
all.  His  rule  was  to  “ hew  to  the  line.” 

Nor  was  his  companionship  less  pleasant  and 
profitable  to  them  in  the  summer  than  the  winter. 
Such  were  his  habits  of  close  and  accurate  observa- 
tion that  he  always  knew  where  to  find  the  best 
strawberries  and  raspberries,  nor  did  the  walk  seem 


54 


MEMORIAL  OF 


*■ 


* 


long,  for  lie  was  sure  to  beguile  the  way  by  his 
favorite  recreation  of  reciting  poetry  and  telling 
conundrums.  Nor  did  this  sense  of  responsibility 
end  with  his  sisters.  When  his  father  was  absent, 
working  at  some  long  job  of  housebuilding,  he  was 
proud  to  be  called  “ the  head  of  the  family.”  Will* 
ingly  was  it  accorded  to  him,  for  he  well  deserved 
the  name. 

As  he  began  his  education  with  much  promise, 
so  he  continued  it.  His  thirst  for  knowledge  and 
particularly  his  love  of  reading  were  most  intense. 
It  was  his  constant  habit  to  carry  a note-book,  and 
every  word,  phrase,  quotation,  or  reference  he  did 
not  understand  and  could  not  verify,  to  jot  it  down, 
hunt  it  up,  and  write  the  result  on  the  opposite 
page,  a practice  he  found  equally  profitable  to  himself 
and  others.  To  give  an  illustration.  At  Charlestown 
one  evening,  in  a company  consisting  of  primary, 
high-school,  and  grammar  school  teachers,  a prin- 
cipal of  a high-school,  a Harvard  graduate,  a phy- 
sician, and  others,  the  question  arose  as  to  the  line : 
“ Is  this  that  haughty,  gailant,  gay  Lothario,”  and  in 
whose  works  this  character  appears?  One  thought 
she  could  find  out,  but  none  could  tell  until  the 
question  came  to  Mr.  George  who  declared  “ Lotha- 
rio ” to  be  one  of  the  dramatis  personce,  in  Rowe’s 
tragedy  of  the  Fair  Penitent. 

Everything  in  print  was  of  value  in  his  eyes. 
Even  a fragment  of  newspaper  that  came  around  a 

1 11  1 


* 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE.  55 


parcel  was  eagerly  read,  and  when  a part  was 
missing  he  amused  himself  and  sisters  by  guessing 
“ how  it  came  out.” 

At  a very  early  age  he  became  a great  lover  of 
libraries,  and  a special  object  of  interest  to  the 
several  librarians.  At  Lancaster,  N.  H.,  the  libra- 
rian of  the  town  library  said  “No  subscriber  but 
one,  whose  family  contained  eight  adults,  read  as 
many  books  as  William  George.”  More  than  this, 
“He  used  them  carefully,  returned  them  promptly, 
and  neatly  repaired  torn  leaves  and  covers.”  01 
si  sic  omnes!  At  Haverhill,  N.  H.,  the  librarian 
said  “that  George  used  and  borrowed  more  books 
than  any  other  half-dozen  fellows  in  town,”  that 
“ he  did  not  read  books  but  devoured  them.”  Best 
of  all,  they  were  of  a good  kind,  and  he  understood 
and  remembered  them,  too.  Hence  among  his 
rural  friends  he  was  known  as  the  walking  ency- 
clopedia. One  of  his  greatest  privileges  in  this 
respect,  books,  was  when  he  went  to  Boston, 
attended  the  monthly  reception  at  Theodore  Par- 
ker’s house,  and  was  kindly  given  by  him  the  run 
of  that  extensive  library  that  was  used  by  its  owner 
to  such  marvelous  effect  against  slavery.  From 
this  time  forward  Mr.  George’s  soul  was  all  on  fire 
with  the  same  ardent  love  of  liberty  and  the  same 
intense  hatred  of  oppression  for  which  Mr.  Parker 
was  so  preeminently  distinguished. 

On  the  night  of  the  3d  of  April,  1851,  Thomas 


56 


MEMORIAL  OF 


Sims,  a fugitive  slave  from  Georgia,  was  captured 
in  Richmond  street,  on  the  pretext  of  theft,  by  the 
city  policemen,  serving  the  deputies  of  the  United 
States  marshal  in  violation  of  the  law  of  Massa- 
chusetts which  forbade  such  employment.  Sims 
resisted  with  extreme  violence,  even  wounding  one 
of  the  officers,  but  he  was  overpowered,  forced  into 
a carriage,  and  taken  to  the  court-house.  * 

When  the  morning  dawned  the  court-house  was 
found  surrounded  by  a chain,  intended  to  keep  off 
the  crowd,  but  unfortunately  suggestive  of  the 
thraldom  of  the  community  to  the  slave  power, 
which  incident  was  made  the  most  of  by  the  anti- 
slavery  orators  of  the  times.  The  judges,  even 
Chief  Justice  Shaw,  the  lawyers,  and  everybody 
else  passed,  unwittingly,  under  this  chain.  Tukey 
was  city  marshal  and  he  had  a large  squad  of  men 
from  the  police  force  as  guards  about  the  edifice. 
It  was  a good  deal  like  a bastile,  and  excited  the 
animosity  of  everybody  else  but  the  United  States 
officers. 

This  was  probably  the  most  exciting  period  of 
Mr.  George’s  life.  While  Sims  was  confined  in  the 
court  house,  Marshal  Tukey  was  drilling  his  awk- 
ward squad  of  police  and  militia.  Mr.  George 
stood  on  Court  street,  right  in  front  of  them,  and 
laughed  in  his  own  peculiar  hearty,  ringing  man- 
ner, both  at  the  marshal  and  his  raw  and  undisci- 
plined soldiers.  A crowd  soon  collected,  and  at 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


57 


regular  intervals,  as  Mr.  George’s  daring  and  derisive 
laugh  rose  on  the  air,  the  spectators  joined  in 
most  heartily. 

The  marshal  and  his  crowd  of  “ man  hunters  ” 
growing  all  the  while  more  and  more  indignant, 
Tukey  at  last  ordered  Mr.  George  to  stop  laughing 
and  to  stop  at  once.  But  the  order  was  disobeyed, 
and  again  the  laugh  rose  louder  than  ever.  Pro- 
voked beyond  measure,  Tukey  blustered  across  the 
street  exclaiming,  “If  you  don’t  stop,  young  man,  I’ll 
have  you  arrested  instantly.”  “Very  well,”  calmly 
replied  Mr.  George,  “then  there  will  be  another 
newT  sensation  in  Boston,  where  a man  is  arrested 
for  laughing  on  the  street.  ” The  indignant  marshal 
conducted  his  retreat  as  skillfully  as  the  situation 
permitted,  hut  the  laugher  was  not  arrested.  So 
great,  however,  was  his  excitement,  that  he  had 
well-nigh  lost  the  power  to  eat  or  sleep.  It  seemed 
as  if  he  could  not  spare  time  to  look  after  his  own 
body  when  that  of  his  fellow  man  was  in  such  im- 
minent danger.  Careful  of  his  employer’s  interest 
and  doing,  as  usual,  all  that  he  was  responsible 
for,  he  would  leave  home  very  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, take  with  him  a light  lunch  that  he  called 
dinner,  eat  it  as  hastily  as  possible,  and  give  the 
remainder  of  his  time  “ to  the  good  cause.”  But 
all  his  efforts,  as  well  as  those  of  such  men  as 
Theodore  Parker,  Dr.  Howe,  Palfrey,  Horace  Mann,- 
Samuel  Hoar,  John  Pierpont,  William  H.  Channing, 


58 


MEMORIAL  OF 


Henry  Wilson,  Anson  Burlingame,  Elizur  Wright, 
and  others,  which  he  so  zealously  seconded,  were 
in  vain.  At  five  o’clock  in  the  morning,  eight  days 
after  his  capture,  Sims  was  taken  from  his  prison- 
room  in  the  court-house,  marched,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Marshal  Tukey,  in  a hollow  square,  of 
policemen  and  hired  ruffians,  over  the  ground 
where  Attucks  was  killed,  to  Long  wharf,  shipped 
on  board  the  brig  Acorn,  and  consigned  again  to 
slavery.  No  wonder  that  the  bells  tolled  in  so 
many  spires  of  Massachusetts  that  day  as  a mark 
of  sorrow  and  a token  of  their  sense  of  outrage. 

Sims  went  to  Georgia,  soon  to  return  north  free 
by  purchase ; but  the  flood-tide  of  that  excitement 
rendered  it  possible  for  Charles  Sumner  to  be  lifted 
into  the  United  States  Senate  ! 

With  the  arrest  of  Anthony  Burns  in  1854,  an- 
other crisis  occurred,  and  the  vigilance  committee, 
one  of  whom  was  Mr.  George,  determined  on  his 
rescue.  A number  of  axes  had  been  purchased  and 
hid  in  the  immediate  vicinity,  but  the  axes  being 
insufficient,  a heavy  piece  of  joist  was  employed  as 
a battering  ram.  A few  of  the  rescuers  gained  an 
entrance,  but  were  speedily  overwhelmed  by  the 
superior  force  within,  and  the  rescue  failed.  The 
Friday  on  which  the  order  of  rendition  was  carried 
out  wras  a day  never  to  be  forgotten  by  Mr.  George 
or  any  other  lover  of  freedom.  Many  of  the  stores 
were  closed,  others  were  draped  in  black,  bells 

1 . - ► 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


59 


tolled  as  before,  the  mass  of  the  people  felt  as 
though  they  were  undergoing  a personal  humiliation. 
On  the  march  the  entire  line  of  military  and  police 
had  to  pass  under  a suspended  black  coffin,  on 
which  was  inscribed  the  word  “Liberty,”  while  all 
down  State  street  the  excited  populace  cried  “shame  ! 
shame ! ” 

Burns  was  carried  to  Norfolk,  Virginia,  in  the 
revenue  cutter  Morris,  but  soon  returned  to  Boston 
free.  Theodore  Parker  was  indicted  for  resistance 
to  the  officers  executing  the  fugitive  slave  law,  but 
the  indictment  was  wisely  quashed  on  a technicality, 
and  his  invectives  against  slavery  were  more  tre- 
mendous than  ever. 

* * * * * * * 

What  Whittier  wrote  on  the  death  of  Garrison 
is,  in  its  measure,  equally  true  of  all  his  followers, 
that  they 

“ Confirm  the  lesson  taught  of  old, 

‘ Life  saved  for  self  is  lost,’  while  they 
Who  live  it  in  his  service  hold 
The  lease  of  God’s  eternal  day.” 

C.  M.  Poor. 

Charlestown,  Mass.,  Feb.  2,  1882. 


fttfbuto  from  the 


The  press  of  the  country  published  many  columns 
of  tributes  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  George,  from  which 
the  following  are  but  brief  extracts : 

From  the  Iosco  Gazette. 

He  was  one  of  the  ablest  journalists  in  the  State.. 

From  the  Grand  Rapids  Democrat. 

He  was  one  of  the  best  newspaper  men  in  the  west. 

From  the  Manistee  Times  and  Standard. 

He  was  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  known  editors  of  the 
State. 

From  the  Fort  Gratiot  Sun. 

He  was  a man  highly  esteemed,  whose  void  will  be  hard 
to  fill. 

From  the  Sanilac  Jeffersonian. 

With  him  goes  out  one  of  the  brightest  lights  of  Michigan 
journalism. 

From  the  Cedar  Springs  Clipper. 

Mr.  George  has  stood  for  years  at  the  head  of  the  news- 
paper fraternity  in  this  State. 

From  the  Big  Rapids  Pioneer  Magnet. 

In  his  death  the  journalistic  profession  of  Michigan  loses 
one  of  its  ablest  and  brightest  members. 

From  the  Manchester  Enterprise. 

The  press  loses  a strong  contemporary,  the  city  a kind  bene- 
factor, and  his  family  a loving  genial  protector. 


* — — — ■ 

Wm.  S.  GEORGE.  61 


From  the  Ann  Arbor  Register. 

The  death  of  W.  S.  George  of  Lansing  removes  one  of 
Michigan’s  best  known  and  most  successful  journalists. 

From  the  Marshall  Expounder. 

Mr.  George  occupied  a prominent  position  in  the  newspaper 
world,  and  his  sudden  death  will  be  universally  regretted. 


From  the  Lapeer  Clarion. 

He  was  an  able  man  in  every  respect,  and  probably  had  no 
superior  as  a political  statistician.  He  acted  well  his  part. 

From  the  Pentwater  News. 

He  who  comes  after  him  in  the  field  thus  left  open  must 
needs  be  an  active  business  man  and  a sagacious  journalist. 

From  the  Ovid  Register. 

W.  S.  George,  editor  of  the  Lansing  Republican,  is  dead. 
Industry,  energy,  and  ability  were  prominent  in  his  make-up. 

From  the  Fremont  Indicator. 

Cut  off  in  the  prime  of  manhood,  W.  S.  George  will  always 
be  remembered  as  one  of  the  ablest  newspaper  writers  of  his 
day. 

From  the  Travei-se  Bay  Eagle. 

He  was  a man  of  high  purpose,  just  and  true  in  all  his  ways. 
The  newspaper  fraternity  of  Michigan  will  deeply  regret  his 
loss.  :* 

From  the  Ludington  Record. 

He  was  a just  and  honorable  man,  an  indefatigable  worker, 
and  a successful  journalist.  We  regret  his  taking  off  exceed- 
ingly. 

From  the  Saginaw  News. 

The  Lansing  Republican  comes  to  hand  to-day  dressed  in 
turned -rule  mourning  for  the  late  editor,  W.  S.  George. 
The  other  State  press  do  not  mourn  so  conspicuously,  but 
every  newspaper  man  recognizes  the  loss  of  a journalistic 
leader  in  the  death  of  the  editor  of  the  Republican. 


* 


62 


MEMORIAL  OF 


From  tlie  Grand  Ledge  Independent. 

In  the  death  of  Mr.  George  Lansing  loses  a good,  enter- 
prising citizen,  and  the  republican  party  one  of  its  ablest  cham- 
pions. 

From  the  Chicago  Times. 

He  was  public  spirited,  and  gave  munificently  to  all  char- 
itable purposes  and  needy  poor.  He  was  never  appealed  to 
in  vain. 

From  the  Three  Rivers  Reporter. 

He  was  one  of  the  best  newspaper  men  in  the  west.  His 
age  was  56,  and  he  was  worn  out  with  incessant  devotion  to 
business. 

From  the  Tuscola  Pioneer. 

Thus  has  fallen  one  of  Michigan’s  leading  journalists  and 
active  politicians.  Few  men  have  spent  a more  active  or 
useful  life. 

From  the  Evart  Review. 

No  man  perhaps  was  more  widely  known,  or  more  highly 
esteemed  by  the  press  throughout  the  State,  and  none  will  be 
more  deeply  lamented. 

From  the  Hillsdale  Business. 

He  was  an  able  journalist,  and  thoroughly  informed  on 
State  politics.  His  death  will  leave  a void  in  the  ranks  of 
republican  politicians  of  Michigan. 

From  the  Huron  Times. 

The  Lansing  Republican  comes  to  us  in  the  deepest  mourn- 
ing for  its  editor  and  proprietor,  W.  S.  George,  one  of  the 
brightest  lights  in  Michigan  journalism. 

From  the  Centreville  Republican. 

This  is  one  of  the  greatest  losses  from  among  the  press 
that  Michigan  could  have  sustained.  Mr.  George  was  recog- 
nized as  one  of  the  most  vigorous  writers  in  the  northwest. 
He  was  an  indomitable  worker  in  any  capacity  which  he 
undertook,  and  was  highly  respected  by  all  who  were 
acquainted  with  him  for  his  many  noble  qualities. 


Wm.  s.  geoege. 


68 


From  the  Grand  Traverse  Herald. 

Mr.  George  also  held  responsible  positions  in  public  life 
and  society,  and  his  conduct  was  always  characterized  by 
the  staunchest  integrity  and  uprightness. 

From  the  Benton  Harbor  Times  and  Palladium. 

His  brain  was  never  idle  and  his  activity  knew  no  bounds, 
but  at  last  the  over-worked  frame  succumbed  and  he  has 
departed,  leaving  a host  to  mourn  his  loss. 

From  the  Constantine  Mercury. 

He  was  an  able  writer  and  active,  earnest  republican  who 
for  years  has  held  a leading  position  in  the  councils  of  the 
party,  and  will  be  sadly  missed  and  mourned. 

From  the  Leslie  Local. 

He  was  an  example  of  what  courageous,  hard-working,  self- 
reliant  men  may  become  in  this  country,  and  he  will  be  sadly 
missed  from  the  ranks  of  Michigan  journalism. 

From  the  Deaf-Mute  Mirror. 

We  have  heard  so  much  of  Mr.  George  and  have  read  so 
many  of  his  editorials  that  it  seems  to  us  as  though  we  had 
lost  a personal  friend,  although  we  never  saw  him. 

From  the  Mason  News 

He  was  a methodical,  honorable  business  man,  and  amassed 
a handsome  competence.  His  private  benefactions  were  many. 
He  will  be  greatly  missed  in  Lansing,  Ingham  county,  and 
the  State. 

From  the  Northwestern  Tribune. 

Thus  is  added  another  to  the  list  of  Michigan’s  fallen  heroes 
Within  a comparatively  short  time  death  has  garnered  a trio 
of  the  best  statesmen  and  stalwart  republicans,  namely: 
Chandler,  Bagley,  and  George.  “Three  immortal  names,  not 
born  to  die.”  It  is  doubtful  if  a man  can  be  found  in  Michi- 
gan who  can  fill  the  place  made  vacant  by  the  death  of  Mr. 
George,  or  wear  his  mantle  with  equal  honor. 


* 


64 


MEMORIAL  OF 


From  the  Schoolcraft  County  Pioneer. 

Mr.  George  was  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  State,  a 
sound  politician,  and  an  honest  man.  His  loss  will  be  deeply 
felt  in  all  the  branches  of  society  and  business  circles  where 
he  mingled. 

From  the  Cliesaning  Argus. 

Since  the  birth  of  the  republican  party  he  has  ever  been  a 
staunch  supporter  of  its  cause.  He  was  ranked  among  Mich- 
igan’s best  journalists,  and  the  press  of  the  State  sustains  a 
loss  hard  to  fill. 

From  the  Negaunee  Herald. 

The  deceased  was  a ready  writer,  a veteran  journalist,  and 
used  his  talent  in  the  course  of  truth  and  justice.  He  will 
be  missed  by  the  fraternity,  as  well  as  in  social  life  and  in 
the  domestic  circle. 

From  the  Northern  Tribune. 

His  death  will  be  deeply  regretted  throughout  the  State  and 
especially  among  the  newspaper  fraternity,  with  which  he  had 
been  connected  the  greater  part  of  his  life  and  had  reached 
the  top  round  of  the  ladder. 

From  the  Cassopolis  Democrat. 

We  had  the  pleasure  of  a brief  personal  acquaintance  with 
the  deceased,  and  always  found  him  a singularly  sincere, 
unpretentious  man,  hating  shams,  a thorough  practical  printer, 
and  an  indefatigable  worker. 

From  the  Harbor  Springs  Republican. 

In  his  death  the  republican  party  loses  a faithful  soldier, 
the  fraternity  a zealous  and  enterprising  craftsman,  the  North- 
western Press  Association  a leading  active  member,  and  the 
temperance  cause  a true  friend. 

From  the  Lake  City  Journal. 

In  the  death  of  W.  S.  George  the  journalistic  fraternity  of 
Michigan,  and  especially  the  Northwest  Michigan  Press  Asso- 
ciation of  which  he  was  an  honorary  member,  loses  one  of  its 
most  brilliant  and  brightest  stars. 


Wm.  s.  geokge. 


65 


From  the  Grand  Rapids  Leader. 

He  was  a very  strong  partisan  but  not  a bitter  hater  of  his 
opponents  personally.  The  death  of  Mr.  George  is  a loss  to 
the  commonwealth,  for  he  was  a man  of  great  energy,  busi- 
ness capacity,  and  journalistic  talent. 

From  the  Oakland  County  Advertiser. 

He  was  one  of  the  most  accomplished  journalists  in  the 
State,  and  his  paper  has  always  been  a model  of  typography. 
He  was  also  a man  of  rare  business  capabilities,  and  one 
whose  integrity  was  never  questioned. 

From  the  Agricultural  College  Speculum. 

The  College  lost  a warm  friend  in  the  death  of  W.  S.  George, 
editor  of  the  Lansing  Kepublican.  He  was  often  present  at 
College  exercises,  and  twice  he  lectured  before  the  students. 
All  had  learned  to  admire  and  respect  him. 

From  the  Montcalm  Herald. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  Wm.  S.  George  was  one  of 
the  most  active  brain  workers  in  Michigan,  engaged  in  the 
editorial  work,  and  to  this  cause  alone  must  be  attributed  his 
premature  prostration  and  death  at  the  age  of  56. 

From  the  Eaton  Rapids  Journal. 

He  was  a gentleman  in  every  respect,  a public-spirited 
citizen,  and  an  honor  to  his  profession,  and  will  be  sadly 
missed  by  many  in  whose  memory  his  influence  as  a man  of 
rare  ability  and  sterling  integrity  will  long  remain. 

From  the  Boston  Transcript. 

In  the  death  of  Mr.  George  the  State  of  Michigan  has  lost 
one  of  its  best  journalists;  the  city  of  Lansing  one  of  its 
most  public  spirited  and  benevolent  citizens.  Throughout  his 
whole  life  he  bore  a high  character  as  a man  of  honor,  purity, 
and  business  integrity.  He  was  a steadfast  friend,  strong  in 
convictions  of  duty,  zealous  in  the  cause  of  the  wronged  and 
oppressed,  and  an  open  and  aggressive  opponent  of  every 
form  of  evil  in  society. 


66 


MEMORIAL  OF 


From  the  Battle  Creek  Tribune. 

He  was  an  earnest,  uncompromising  republican,  and  wielded 
large  influence  in  his  party  in  this  State,  which  will  certainly 
miss  his  counsels.  The  press  of  Michigan  owe  him  much  for 
continued  efforts  to  elevate  the  standard  of  its  journalism. 

From  the  Ypsilanti  Commercial. 

He  was  one  of  the  leaders  of  our  republican  Israel,  a man 
of  great  energy,  industry,  and  foresight,  honorable  and  incor- 
ruptible. We  are  reminded  that  we  are  passing  on,  and  the 
work  that  is  before  us  to  do,  we  must  do  with  all  our  might. 

From  the  Three  Rivers  Tribune. 

In  1869  he  was  selected  to  take  charge  of  the  State  print- 
ing and  has  for  12  years  conducted  it  with  singular  ability 
and  integrity.  Though  never  in  office,  his  influence  as  a jour- 
nalist as  well  as  on  journalism  has  been  very  great  and  very 
salutary. 

From  the  Tuscola  Advertiser. 

He  was  born  in  Vermont  in  1835,  and  from  poverty  and 
obscurity  worked  his  way  to  deserved  eminence  in  the  coun- 
cils of  his  State.  His  death,  while  yet  in  the  flower  of  man- 
hood, is  a loss  to  our  commonwealth  which  cannot  be  easily 
replaced. 

From  the  Jackson  Star. 

Mr.  George  was  a journalist  of  rare  ability,  and  a chari- 
table, benevolent,  enterprising  citizen.  His  loss  to  Lansing 
and  the  entire  state  will  be  great,  and  will  be  felt  especially 
by  the  newspaperdom  of  the  country,  for  he  was  a shining 
light  in  its  circle. 

From  the  Detroit  Free  Pi'ess. 

The  late  William  S.  George  was  one  of  the  Michigan 
veterans  in  journalism.  He  had  been  identified  with  news- 
papers for  upwards  of  forty  of  the  fifty-six  years  of  his  life. 
During  the  past  nineteen  years  he  lived  in  Michigan.  He  was 
a man  of  extraordinary  energy  and  had  great  executive  ability. 
His  death  at  fifty-six  is  no  doubt  largely  attributable  to  his 
close  and  unremitting  attention  to  business. 


Wm.  s.  geoege. 


67 


From  the  Cadillac  News. 

His  absence  from  the  counsels  of  the  republican  party  in 
Michigan  and  from  the  ranks  of  the  editorial  profession  will 
be  felt.  His  life  of  56  years  was  one  of  great  activity,  indus- 
try, usefulness,  and  success.  All  honor  to  the  memory  of 
William  S.  Geoege. 

From  the  Bangor  Advance. 

Educators  of  the  State  feel  as  if  they  had  lost  a man  whose 
voice  and  pen  had  often  been  effectually  employed  to  pro- 
mote the  welfare  of  our  public  schools.  For  this  reason  the 
State  Teachers’  Association  passed  a memorial  resolution  in 
honor  of  the  deceased. 

From  the  Ann  Arbor  Argus. 

Whatever  were  Mr.  Geokge’s  convictions,  he  permitted  no 
half-way  expressions.  He  was  a stalwart  and  struck  stalwart 
blows  upon  his  opponents.  His  was  probably  the  best  exam- 
ple in  Michigan  of  a poor,  unaided  boy  working  himself  up 
to  the  head  of  the  profession. 

From  the  Ann  Arbor  Democrat. 

In  the  death  of  W.  S.  Geoege  the  Michigan  press  loses 
an  esteemed  and  valuable  member,  an  honor  to  the  profession, 
and  one  whose  like  it  will  be  hard  to  find.  He  left  the  Lan- 
sing Eepublican  one  of  the  best  papers  in  the  State,  or  even 
in  the  northwest.  Peace  to  his  ashes. 

From  the  Big  Rapids  Current. 

But  an  exceedingly  busy  life  had  literally  worn  him  out. 
He  did  not  rust  out,  nor  was  his  life  a failure.  He  proved 
by  a worthy  example  that  a boy  may  rise  to  a noble  and 
successful  manhood  by  his  own  unaided  exertions.  Ho  was  a 
tower  of  strength  to  the  press  of  the  State,  and  an  almost 
indispensable  counselor  in  the  republican  party  in  which  he 
was  a leader.  From  a personal  and  intimate  acquaintance 
with  him  for  years  we  had  learned  to  esteem  him  highly  and 
we  feel  deep  sorrow  at  his  death.  His  place  in  the  State  and 
at  the  editorial  table  will  be  hard  to  fill. 


68 


MEMORIAL  OF 


From  tlie  Marshall  Statesman. 

Thus  has  the  press  of  Michigan  lost  one  of  its  most  honored, 
worthy,  and  capable  members;  the  State  a thorough  business 
man,  who  had  few  equals:  the  city  in  which  he  lived  a genial, 
whole-souled  member  of  its  society;  and  his  family  a kind, 
considerate,  and  generous  companion  and  father. 

From  the  Grand  Rapids  Eagle. 

As  an  editor  he  is  most  widely  known  in  and  out  of  the 
State.  His  paper,  under  his  management,  has  been  a model 
in  make-up,  in  condensation,  and  in  force  and  influence  among 
the  best  and  staunchest  republican  journals.  Everywhere  he 
fulfilled  the  requirements  of  his  position  with  the  strictest 
integrity. 

From  the  Monroe  Commercial. 

During  his  whole  life  he  was  a hard  worker  and  won  for 
himself  a high  rank  among  the  journalists  of  this  country. 
He  took  great  interest  in  the  cause  of  education  and  gave 
munificently  for  all  charitable  purposes.  In  his  death  the 
state  loses  a prominent  and  useful  citizen,  and  the  republi- 
can party  a valuable  leader. 

From  the  St.  Johns  Republican. 

He  was  well  known  in  political  circles,  where  he  wielded  a 
marked  influence,  and  though  he  was  a man  of  remarkable 
force  of  character,  he  was  too  unyielding  and  aggressive  to 
reap  for  himself  the  highest  rewards  from  the  party  for  whose 
success  he  was  a most  zealous  and  able  worker.  He  was  one 
of  the  best  informed  politicians  in  Michigan. 

From  the  Battle  Creek  Journal. 

Mr.  George  has  long  held  a high  rank  among  the  journal- 
ists of  our  State,  and  also  in  the  republican  party,  of  whose 
principles  he  was  an  earnest,  able,  and  influential  champion. 
He  was  a man  of  peculiarly  strong  convictions,  great  inde- 
pendence of  character,  and  a remarkably  forcible  writer.  In 
Michigan  politics,  and  also  in  national,  he  has  exerted  a wide 
and  commanding  influence,  and  his  death  will  awaken  very 
general  regret  from  men  of  all  parties. 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


09 


From  the  Cassopolis  Vigilant. 

He  was  a prominent  figure  in  Michigan  politics  and  pro- 
gress, will  be  widely  missed  and  generally  mourned.  A self- 
made  man,  his  life  had  been  spent  in  printing  offices  and  his 
best  energies  had  always  been  exercised  for  the  right.  He 
died  of  the  American  disease — over- work.  All  who  ever 
knew  him  respected  him,  and  those  who  knew  him  best  loved 
him. 

From  the  Owosso  Times. 

Mr.  Oeoege  had  been  connected  with  the  press  of  Michi- 
gan for  nearly  a quarter  of  a century,  and  was  one  of  the 
ablest  journalists  in  the  country,  as  well  as  one  of  the  most 
sagacious  and  reliable  party  leaders.  His  death,  caused  by 
over-work,  makes  a vacancy  hard  to  fill  in  the  ranks  of  the 
journalists  of  the  country  and  the  republican  leaders  of  the 
State. 

From  the  Vicksburg  Monitor. 

No  one  who  ever  met  Mr.  George  will  forget  the  kindly 
greeting  he  gave  to  members  of  the  craft,  whether  they  were 
connected  with  city  dailies  or  cross-road  foolscap  sheets.  In 
his  death  the  State  press  loses  one  of  its  most  honored  and 
valued  members;  one,  the  memory  of  whose  kindness  will 
remain  a sweet  recollection  in  the  hearts  of  the  whole  fra- 
ternity. 

From  the  Detroit  Post  and  Tribune. 

He  was  a shrewd  and  successful  business  man,  methodical 
in  his  manner,  careful  in  management  and  quick  to  see  and 
take  advantage  of  opportunity.  He  was,  from  the  first,  active 
in  republican  politics,  a frequent  delegate  to  conventions,  an 
efficient  member  of  State  and  county  committees,  and  a pru- 
dent adviser.  Notwithstanding  the  pressure  brought  upon  him 
by  an  active  business  and  political  life,  Mr.  George  found 
time  for  a large  amount  of  miscellaneous  reading,  and  was  a 
thoughtful  and  entertaining  companion  in  general  society.  He 
had  quite  a taste  for  historical  and  antiquarian  research,  and 
had  gathered  one  of  the  best  collections,  yet  made,  of  books 
and  pamphlets  relating  to  the  history  of  Michigan  and  the 
northwest.  A sketch  of  the  leading  events  of  his  life  is  given 
in  another  part  of  this  paper. 


70 


MEMORIAL  OF 


From  the  Sturgis  Journal. 

An  exceedingly  busy  life  had  literally  worn  him  out.  He 
did  not  rust  out,  nor  was  his  life  a failure.  He  proved  by  a 
worthy  example  that  a boy  may  rise  to  a noble  and  success- 
ful manhood  by  his  own  unaided  exertions.  He  was  a tower 
of  strength  to  the  press  of  the  state,  and  an  almost  indis- 
pensable counselor  in  the  republican  party,  in  which  he  was 
a leader. 

From  the  Ionia  Standard. 

He  made  the  Republican  the  handsomest  and  ablest  repub- 
lican newspaper  published  in  the  State.  He  was  a clear, 
incisive  writer,  and  his  editorials  fairly  bristled  with  pungent 
points,  pertinent  facts,  and  luminous  argument.  The  writer 
met  him  only  once,  but  he  will  always  cherish  the  kind  words 
of  advice  the  old  warhorse  gave  him  in  a brief  conversation 
about  journalism. 

From  the  Northern  Mail. 

He  was  a practical  printer,  and  a man  of  keen,  practical 
business  views.  He  was  a man  of  the  true  Puritan  Yankee 
type,  and  worked  up  from  the  lowest  round  of  the  ladder  by 
a fearless  self-reliance  which  few  possess.  His  example  has 
helped  materially  to  improve  the  tone  and  business  methods 
of  Michigan  journalism.  His  death  will  be  mourned  by  the 
entire  fraternity  throughout  the  State. 

From  the  Saginawian. 

Mr.  George  was  a practical  printer  who  had  raised  him- 
self up  from  the  lowest  round  of  the  ladder;  a gentleman 
well  informed  upon  all  practical  subjects;  a radical  to  an  un- 
reasonable extent  in  politics,  but  outspoken  often  times  against 
the  practices  of  his  own  party.  He  carried  none  of  the  bit- 
terness of  his  political  opinions  into  his  personal  relations 
with  the  brethren  of  the  press,  but  was  among  the  fraternity 
one  of  its  best-respected,  courteous,  and  considerate  mem- 
bers. He  was  a strong,  often  times  acrimonious,  writer;  a 
square  man  and  a superb  printer  and  journalist;  in  his  death 
the  State,  the  fraternity,  and  especially  his  many  friends  have 
met  with  a loss  that  is  irreparable. 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE 


71 


Fi-orn  the  Farwell  Register. 

Mr.  George  led  a good  and  useful  life,  and  has  helped 
many  a young  man  to  rise  in  life.  He  will  be  missed  in  this 
State.  Religiously,  Mr.  George  was  a consistent  liberalist, 
or  free  thinker,  and  was  much  opposed  to  all  manner  of  priest- 
craft and  superstition,  and  was  a strong  temperance  man  and 
in  favor  of  all  moral  reforms.  As  a brain  worker  there  were 
but  few  greater  in  this  country.  By  his  death  the  writer  loses 
one  of  his  best  friends. 

Fi’om  the  Ontonagon  Miner. 

He  began  life  a poor  boy,  was  a self-made  man  in  as  literal 
a sense  as  that  term  can  be  applied  to  any  man,  and  died 
not  unknown  to  fame  and  leaving  a handsome  estate.  He 
was  a man  of  liberal  views,  and  great  benevolence.  “He 
believed  in  the  doctrine  that  the  one  sole  sacred  thing  be- 
neath the  cope  of  heaven  is  man,  and  he  was  ever  ready  to 
defend  the  rights  of  the  worthy  down-trodden.”  A force  for 
good,  both  in  journalism  and  politics,  has  departed  with  Wm. 
,S.  George. 

From  the  Cold  water  Republican. 

He  belonged  to  that  class  of  respectable  journalists  whose 
aim  was  always  something  better  and  higher.  It  was  his 
controlling  mind  that  was  always  seen  throughout  the  columns 
of  his  paper.  He  gathered  about  him  hard-working,  faithful 
men,  whom  he  educated  into  his  methods,  as  far  as  he  could, 
and  then  trusted  them.  Mr.  George  was  possessed  of  much 
nervous  vigor  which  always  grasped  facts,  the  influential 
journalist’s  strongest  fort,  and  made  them  count  in  support 
of  ideas.  He  had  a tenacious  memory  for  such  facts,  and  his 
library  in  the  office  was  composed  of  such  works  as  furnished 
these  facts.  He  had  the  true  student’s  idea  in  using  books. 
They  were  not  so  much  lumber  to  be  worked  over  once  and 
then  thrown  aside.  They  were  rather  the  carpenter’s  tools, 
each  tool  to  be  used  in  its  proper  place  and  then  put  back 
until  again  wanted.  No  man  ever  took  more  pride  in  his 
work  than  did  Mr.  George.  He  always  desired  to  excel. 
He,  tried,  in  all  his  work  of  improvement,  to  impress  himself 
upon  the  journalism  of  Michigan. 


* 


72 


MEMORIAL  OF 


From  the  Clinton  and  Shiawassee  Union. 

He  was  a man  of  acknowledged  ability  in  the  newspaper 
field.,  and  had,  by  and  through  his  own  exertions,  from  poverty 
and  hardships  in  early  life,  accumulated  a handsome  fortune. 
Mr.  George  -vfas  a terse,  logical  writer;  firm  and  steadfast  in  all 
principles  pertaining  to  the  right,  as  he  saw  and  understood 
them,  and  a foe  in  opposition  to  all  that  wras  oppressive  or 
wrong,  and  not  humane  or  just.  Peace  to  his  ashes;  his  life 
was  a success,  his  death  will  be  regretted  by  many  who 
knew  him  but  to  admire. 

From  the  Grand  Haven  Sentinel. 

Mr.  George  was  56  years  old,  and  had,  from  his  earliest 
manhood,  been  the  uncompromising  foe  of  all  that  was  wrong, 
and  the  staunch  friend  of  the  right.  He  has  been  connected 
with  the  Springfield  Republican,  Detroit  Tribune,  and  the 
Lansing  Republican,  all  papers  w7hich  fought  the  battles  of 
freedom  with  a power  that  made  their  names  known  as  far 
and  wide  as  the  boundaries  of  the  country.  Personally  Mr. 
George  was  a pleasant  gentleman,  ever  guided  by  the  t 
highest  sense  of  honor,  a devoted  husband,  affectionate  father, 
and  dutiful  son.  His  labors  for  the  republican  party  will 
make  him  honored  and  remembered  long. 

From  the  Battle  Creek  Good  Health. 

Mr.  George  has  for  many  years  exerted  a very  wide  influ- 
ence in  political  affairs,  though  seldom  in  office  himself,  and 
never  in  the  position  of  an  office-seeker.  Through  his  ardu- 
ous labors  he  became  broken  down  prematurety,  and  last  fall 
made  arrangements  to  withdraw  for  a time  from  active  labor. 
He  was  a man  whose  faithfulness  to  his  friends  attached  him 
to  them  most  closely,  while  he  was  a terror  t:>  his  enemies 
on  account  of  the  caustic  sarcasm  of  his  trenchant  criticisms. 
During  the  few  years  we  have  enjoyed  his  personal  acquain- 
tance, we  have  come  to  regard  him  more  and  more  highly 
as  a man  of  unimpeachable  integrity,  an  earnest  advocate  of 
temperance,  sobriety,  and  all  good  reforms,  and  a promoter 
of  the  general  good.  Such  men  are  scarce.  Each  one  who 
falls  leaves  a vacuum  behind  which  cannot  easily  be  filled. 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


73 


From  the  Port  Huron  Times. 

The  Republican  is  Mr.  Geokge's  monument,  built  in  his 
lifetime;  &nd  although  we  cannot  commend  to  the  living  gen- 
eration of  newspaper  workers  the  same  sacrifice  that  he  made 
for  the  sake  of  such  a monument,  wre  cannot  but  admire  it 
and  respect  the  man  whose  life’s  work  has  been  so  suddenly- 
cut  short.  He  was  the  most  thorough  and  industrious  news- 
paper man  Michigan  has  ever  known.  His  death  will  be 
universally  mourned  among  the  newspaper  fraternity,  as  well 
as  among  a host  of  friends  and  admirers  outside  of  his  par- 
ticular calling. 

From  the  Allegan  Journal. 

He  had  a thorough  comprehension  of  the  mission  and  power 
of  the  press  and  a wonderful  faculty  for  the  condensation  of 
news,  and  could  throw  more  ideas  in  a briefer  space  than  any 
man  we  ever  knew.  He  could  write  a lengthy  article  with 
equal  facility.  The  Lansing  Republican  under  his  editorship 
has  been  the  model  state  paper  of  Michigan.  Scarcely  any 
occurence  of  moment,  local,  state,  national,  or  foreign  but 
what  had  a brief  mention  in  the  Republican.  He  always 
punctured  humbuggery,  rebuked  hypocrisy,  and  had  a good 
word  to  say  for  every  really  benevolent  cause.  He  was  a 
practical  temperance  man  while  no  prohibitionist,  always  fair 
in  political  discussions,  giving  the  points  of  his  opponents  be- 
fore confuting  them.  Like  Greeley  he  was  a close  reasoner 
and  wasted  no  space  in  summing  up  his  arguments. 

We  have  known  Michigan’s  great  and  lamented  journalist 
for  nearly  twenty  years,  and  can  say  of  him  that  a more  up- 
right and  honorable  man  never  lived;  he  was  a true  friend 
and  zealous  worker,  genial  and  kind  hearted.  He  was  quiet 
and  reticent  in  his  disposition  and  made  but  few  confidants. 
Although  a politician  from  his  boyhood  he  wras  never  an  aspi- 
rant for  office.  He  was,  however,  a great  political  organizer, 
having,  during  his  residence  in  Michigan,  served  as  a mem- 
ber of  the  republican  state  central  committee  as  well  ds 
chairman  of  the  Ingham  county  committee.  He  was  likewise 
a delegate  to  the  republican  national  convention  of  1876. 

In  his  death  we  lose  a sincere  and  wrarm  friend,  and  his 
immediate  relatives  have  our  sincere  sympathy  in  the  great 
loss  that  has  befallen  them. 


74 


MEMORIAL  OF 


From  the  Alcona  Review. 

Mr.  George  was  one  of  those  journalistic  lights  which 
shone  brightly,  and  we  may  truthfully  say  was  a model  in 
his  profession.  He  was  a self-made  man  in  every  sense 
which  the  word  implies,  and  one  of  the  hardest  working 
newspaper  men,  as  well  also  as  one  of  the  pleasantest,  which 
we  ever  came  in  contact  with.  The  greatest  success  of  his 
life  was  the  successful  management  of  his  own  business, 
which  many  thought  to  be  almost  perfection.  But  the  good 
man  has  been  gathered  to  his  final  rest. 

From  the  St.  Louis  Leader. 

He  was  an  honorable,  conscientious,  prompt  man  in  all  his 
dealings  with  individuals  or  the  State,  and  his  place  in  the 
political  and  newspaper  ranks  of  this  State  will  be  hard  to 
fill.  Many  a young  man  in  Michigan  who  has  received  from 
him  advice,  encouragement,  and  kind  words  (and  he  was 
never  too  busy  to  give  those  to  any  who  deserved  them), 
will  long  cherish  with  pleasure  the  aid  thus  rendered  him. 
In  official  and  business  relations  we  have  been  so  closely 
connected  with  him  for  the  past  eight  years,  that  we  feel  the 
loss  as  we  would  that  of  a long- cherished  and  warm  personal 
friend  and  relative.  His  has  been  a busy,  useful  life,  and 
“he  sleeps  well.” 


From  the  Pontiac  Gazette. 

His  was  a fine-brained,  nervous  organization,  which  he  kept 
at  its  utmost  tension  all  his  life,  and  about  four  months  since 
the  flues  of  life  collapsed  and  he  was  taken  to  Old  Point  Com- 
fort in  hopes  of  recuperating  his  worn-out  energies,  and 
returned  a few  weeks  since  apparently  rested.  On  Tuesday 
he  was  taken  with  a chill  and  died  in  a few  hours.  He  was 
one  of  the  hardest  of  hard  workers  from  boyhood,  both  men- 
tally and  physically.  In  all  his  private  life  he  was  a hard- 
working, pure  man,  and  took  great  pride  in  the  profession 
which  he  adorned,  and  to  which  he  gave  his  life.  He  leaves 
a vacancy  in  the  ranks  of  the  editorial  profession  of  Michigan 
which  few  men  can  fill. 


Wm.  s.  geoege. 


75 


From  the  Kalamazoo  Telegraph. 

The  death  of  W.  S.  George  removes  from  the  ranks  of 
Michigan  journalism  a man  who  has  done  a great  deal  to 
develop  its  character  and  impress  it  with  an  individuality. 
He  was  a man  who  had  to  contend  with  severely  adverse 
circumstances  in  early  life.  From  this  he  acquired  a disci- 
pline in  overcoming  difficulties  that  constituted  a most  valua- 
ble education.  His  career  was  one  of  remarkable  success. 
It  was  a triumph  of  industry,  a good  example  of  what  every 
young  workingman  may  hope  to  attain  if  he  is  willing  to 
sacrifice  his  good  times  of  the  present  to  that  diligent  pursuit 
of  his  business  which  creates  eminent  success  in  the  future. 
Mr.  George  had  attained  a handsome  property  and  a per- 
sonal influence  that  made  him  one  of  the  prominent  citizens 
of  his  State.  He  was  a man  of  unyielding  conviction  and 
great  devotion  to  the  duties  of  his  business  and  of  the  public 
service.  Under  his  management  the  State  printing  was  of  a 
quality  that  had  almost  no  equals  in  Avork  of  the  same  class 
in  other  States.  His  loss  will  be  widely  felt. 

From  the  Press  and  Type. 

It  is  with  sorrow  that  we  have  to  record  the  death  of  our 
old  friend  and  customer,  W.  S.  George,  of  Lansing,  Mich. 
He  was  a man  of  sterling  integrity  and  remarkable  purity  of 
life.  All  his  business  transactions  were  honorable  in  the  high- 
est degree,  and  he  left  the  record  of  a man,  honored,  suc- 
cessful, and  free  from  any  stain  or  taint  on  his  character.  He 
started  in  life  at  the  case,  and  by  close  attention  to  business,  and 
a determination  to  rise,  he  soon  occupied  a responsible  editorial 
position  with  the  late  Samuel  Bowles,  at  Springfield,  Mass. 
Coming  west,  he  first  settled  in  Detroit,  and  afterwards  at 
Lansing,  where  he  established  the  finest  printing  office  in  Cen- 
tral Michigan.  His  paper,  the  Lansing  Eepublican,  has  been 
a power  in  the  politics  of  the  State  and  nation.  He  was  State 
printer  at  the  time  and  for  a number  of  years  previous  to  his 
death.  He  was  also  president  of  the  Central  savings  bank, 
and  was  connected  with  a number  of  institutions,  business 
and  charitable.  His  death  was  a great  loss  to  the  community 
in  which  he  lived,  and  to  the  profession  of  which  he  was  such 
an  honored  member— journalism. 


tributes  of  § mate  Jdcn^Iwjr. 


TELEGRAMS. 


Grand  Rapids,  Dec.  28,  1881. 
Both  public  and  private  loss.  Convey  to  Mrs.  George  and 
family  my  sympathy. 

MOREAU  S.  CROSBY. 

Lieutenant  Governor. 


Battle  Creek,  Dec.  27,  1881. 

N.  F.  Handy,  Esq.: — I am  in  deep  sorrow  at  the  death  of 
my  friend.  Present  sympathy  and  condolence  to  the  bereaved 
family.  Y.  P.  COLLIER. 


LETTERS. 

Grand  Rapids,  Dec.  28,  1881. 

Mrs.  George: 

Madam, — I have  already  telegraphed  my  sympathy  for  you 
and  yours  in  this  hour  of  deep  affliction,  and  desire  to  further 
express  it  in  this  brief  note.  For  many  years  I have  known 
your  husband,  and  but  to  think  more  and  more  of  him  with 
each  passing  one.  And  I speak  of  him  now,  not  merely  from 
a political  but,  I trust,  a general  friendship  that  has  grown 
up  between  us.  In  the  busy  life  he  led  I have  watched  a 
manly  generous  purpose,  and  with  yourself,  family,  and  friends, 
desire  to  be  considered  one  of  the  mourners  at  his  side. 

With  much  esteem  I am  now 

Respectfully  yours, 

MOREAU  S.  CROSBY. 

“God’s  finger  touched  him  and  he  slept.” 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


77 


Lansing,  Jan.  2,  1882. 

My  Dear  Mrs.  George: — It  is  not  necessary  for  me  to 
assure  you  that  you  have  my  heartfelt  sympathy  at  this, 
your  time  of  great  affliction,  for  you  know  that  the  casket 
which  contains  the  remains  of  your  dear  husband  holds  also 
the  ashes  of  him  who  was  one  of  the  truest,  best,  and  most 
unselfish  friends  I ever  had. 

As  his  legal  adviser  for  several  years  before  his  death,  my 
business  relations  with  him  were  such,  that  we  were  together 
more  or  less  almost  every  day,  except  when  one  or  the  other 
was  absent  from  home. 

His  sense  of  justice  and  his  love  of  liberty  were  leading 
traits  of  his  character.  Scrupulously  honest  in  business,  he 
won  the  esteem  of  all  who  dealt  with  him.  He  was  generous 
towards  those  whom  he  employed,  and  many  excellent  citizens 
of  Lansing  date  the  beginning  of  their  business  success  to 
his  encouragement  and  substantial  aid.  Many  are  the  happy 
homes  whose  foundations  were  laid  by  his  assistance  and 
whose  fires  have  been  kept  burning  brightly  by  the  generous 
wages  paid  by  him  for  the  labor  of  their  owners. 

Others  will  speak  of  his  greatness  as  an  editor,  his  hatred 
of  oppression  and  wrong,  his  fearless  defense  of  his  country 
in  times  of  danger,  his  political  sagacity,  and  his  champion- 
ship of  every  good  cause.  These  things  are  known  and  rec- 
ognized by  all  who  knew  him.  In  all  of  these  things  he  was 
preeminent,  and  his  influence  for  good  was  bounded  by  no 
state  lines,  nor  will  it  be  limited  to  the  age  in  which  he 
lived,  for  he  has  left  indelible 

“ Footprints  on  the  sands  of  time.” 

I wish  to  speak  of  him  only  as  a friend,  a philanthropist, 
and  a man,  for  “He  was  a man  take  him  all  in  all.” 

He  was  my  friend,  and  I shall  ever  be  proud  that  he  was 
such.  I never  expect  to  find  another  in  whom,  under  all  cir- 
cumstances and  at  all  times,  I can  more  fully  trust. 

His  sound  judgment,  his  generous  impulses,  and  his  warm 
and  disinterested  nature  made  him  more  valuable  as  a friend 
than  most  men  can  be. 

Especially  was  he  a friend  of  the  poor  and  oppressed.  He 
was  always  ready  and  willing  to  give  of  his  substance  to  aid 
any  who  were  in  affliction  and  to  contribute  liberally  to  any 


78 


MEMORIAL  OF 


object  which  he  considered  worthy  and  calculated  to  benefit 
the  “common  people.” 

He  had  a kind  word  for  all  who  in  any  walk  of  life  were 
trying  to  make  an  honorable  name  and  attain  an  honorable 
position  in  society,  and  many  a poor  boy  felt  as  well  as  knew 
his  kindness  of  heart. 

Politicians  often  criticised  his  acts,  for  in  his  political  con- 
tests he  was  a foeman  worthy  the  best  steel  of  his  opponents, 
but  even  those  who  differed  from  him  most  gave  him  credit 
for  being  honest  in  his  convictions. 

His  integrity  was  seldom  questioned  even  by  those  who 
opposed  him  most. 

The  greatest  in  the  State  respected  him  for  they  knew  his 
merits  and  had  felt  his  power.  The  worthy  poor  loved  him  for 
they  knew  that  in  him  they  had  a friend  in  whom  they  could 
trust. 

At  his  funeral  the  highest  officers  of  State  and  the  humblest 
laborers  in  the  city  mingled  their  tears  for  they  felt  that  all 
good  citizens  had  sustained  a common  loss. 

Immediately  after  his  death  many  incidents  occurred  show- 
ing how  the  people  loved  him.  Little  tokens  of  their  love 
were  contributed  in  various  ways  while  the  preparations  for 
the  funeral  were  being  made. 

While  at  the  family  residence  the  day  before  the  funeral,  a 
poor  but  very  worthy  laboring  man  called  me  to  the  door 
and  said:  “I  have  called  to  pay  my  respects.  Mr.  George 
was  a good  man;  he  always  spoke  to  me,”  and  then  in  the 
gentlest  manner  possible  asked  to  see  the  remains.  They 
were  shown  him,  and  while  tears  were  coursing  down  his 
cheeks  he  uttered  a choked  “thank  you,”  and  walked  away. 

An  old  colored  man  who  had  once  been  a slave,  called  and 
said:  “We  colored  people  remember  how  much  Mr.  George 
did  for  us,”  and  added  that  they  had  been  having  a “little 
meeting”  and  had  concluded  to  attend  his  funeral  as  they 
wanted  to  show  their  appreciation  of  his  character  and  services. 
Before  he  left  he  called  me  to  one  side  and  asked:  “Would 
it  be  thought  improper  if  I should  wear  some  little  badge  of 
mourning  when  I attend  the  funeral?  I am  a mourner  and 
■would  like  to  do  so.”  When  informed  that  he  might  do  so 
if  he  wished,  tears  filled  his  eyes  and  as  he  left  me  I thought 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


79 


that  such  tributes  offered  by  loving  hearts  were  of  more  value 
than  monuments,  and  statues,  and  kingly  titles. 

One  of  the  early  and  active  laborers  in  the  anti-slavery 
cause,  his  voice  never  faltered  nor  his  pen  never  failed  to  do 
its  office  until  the  shackles  fell  from  the  limbs  of  the  last 
slave  in  his  native  land. 

He  was  equally  earnest,  active,  and  efficient  in  the  cause 
of  temperance,  and  made  his  efforts  felt  on  the  side  of  sobriety 
and  good  citizenship. 

He  was  too  great  to  be  a bigot  in  religion  or  a fanatic  in 
politics.  He  entertained  liberal  views  on  all  great  questions 
and  willingly  accorded  to  others  that  freedom  of  opinion  which 
he  demanded  for  himself. 

He  was  a patriot.  He  loved  his  country  as  he  loved  his 
life.  He  loved  it  because  it  was  a republic  and  gave  freedom 
to  its  citizens.  He  defended  it  with  all  his  strength  and  died 
in  the  full  belief  that  under  the  new  regime  liberty  and  our 
Union  were  perpetually  established  “one  and  inseparable.” 

His  domestic  surroundings  were  happy,  and  no  one  can 
more  than  half  appreciate  his  worth  who  did  not  see  him  at 
his  home  surrounded  by  his  family  and  witness  his  efforts  to 
make  all  happy  around  his  hearthstone. 

His  evenings  were  almost  always  spent  with  his  family  unless 
pressing  business  engagements  prevented.  When  he  had 
thrown  off  the  business  cares  of  the  day,  which  he  had  a 
rare  faculty  of  doing,  and  joined  the  happy  family  circle  of 
which  he  was  unconsciously  the  central  figure,  he  seemed 
forgetful  of  himself  in  his  efforts  to  make  others  happy. 

Towards  his  wife  and  her  mother  he  was  all  that  a devoted 
husband  and  son  could  be.  In  his  intercourse  with  his  chil- 
dren he  was  at  once  their  playmate,  friend,  and  teacher.  It 
was  in  his  home  that  he  showed  at  his  best  and  it  was  there 
that  his  eminent  goodness  was  most  conspicuous. 

While  I mourn  with  you  the  loss  of  his  society  and  com- 
panionship, I am  proud  of  his  record,  which  is  a legacy  more 
precious  to  his  wife  and  children  than  would  be  the  accumu- 
lated wealth  of  a hundred  kings. 

Please  accept  my  sympathy  and  believe  me 

Your  fellow  mourner  and  friend, 

N.  F.  HANDY. 


80 


MEMORIAL  OF 


Lapeer,  Mich.,  Dec.  30,  1881. 
Hon.  Wm.  Yan  Buren,  Lansing, 

Dear  Sir:— Before  your  letter  came  I had  learned  with 
regret  and  sorrow  of  the  death  of  Mr.  George.  I had  heard 
such  favorable  accounts  of  the  improved  condition  of  his 
health,  that  I hoped  he  would  long  be  spared  to  a life  of 
usefulness  and  honor.  I have  long  regarded  him  as  one  of 
the  ablest  men  I knew,  a man  of  strong  convictions,  but  a 
just  man.  In  his  death  we  have  all  suffered  a great  loss. 
Will  you  kindly  present  to  Mrs.  George,  from  Mrs.  Moore 
and  myself,  an  expression  of  our  sympathy  for  her  in  her 
great  bereavement.  I am  sir, 

Yours  very  truly, 

J.  B.  MOORE. 


St.  Johns,  Mich.,  Jan.  5,  1882. 

Mrs.  W.  S.  George, 

Dear  Madam: — I can  no  longer  restrain  my  inclination  to 
offer  sympathy  in  the  terrible  affliction  that  has  befallen  you. 
I feel  deeply,  more  deeply  than  I can  write,  the  terrible  loss. 
I feel  as  if  I had  lost  my  best  friend.  The  almost  daily  con- 
tact of  over  a dozen  years  of  active  work,  often  of  a pains- 
taking kind,  that  required  mutual  oversight  and  scrutiny, 
brought  us  to  a better  understanding  than  mere  fellow 
workers,  and  not  until  I heard  that  the  half- expected  and 
dreaded  summons  had  been  made  and  answered,  did  I realize 
how  great  the  loss,  and  how  “Blessings  brighten  as  they 
take  their  flight.”  It  was  a blessing  to  have  known  your 
husband  and  to  have  felt  the  kindly  impulse  of  his  friendship . 
I shall  always  look  back  with  pleasurable  feelings  to  the  many 
years  of  toilsome  days  and  protracted  nights  that  I have  passed 
with  him, — nor  ever  forget  the  many  kind  and  encouraging  words 
and  acts  of  friendship  that  came  so  gracefully  from  him,  and 
which  I desire  here  to  acknowledge. 

Were  Mrs.  Stephenson  here  she  would  join  in  sympathy 
for  you  and  also  for  your  mother,  who,  I am  sure,  suffers 
the  loss  as  keenly  as  yourself,  but  she  is  not, — and  I am 
writing  this  against  her  consent,  having  but  partially  recov- 
ered from  a dangerous  illness — which  may  account  for  any 
incoherencies  you  may  find. 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


81 


In  conclusion  I desire  to  assure  you  of  my  continued 
friendship  for  you  and  yours,  and  to  express  myself  ready  to 
serve  you  at  any  time,  whenever  in  my  power. 

Sincerely  and  sorrowfully  yours, 

JNO.  H.  STEPHENSON. 


739  Jefferson  Avenue,  Detroit, 
January  2,  1882. 

My  Dear  Friend,  Mrs.  George: 

It  is  with  a heart  full  of  deepest  sympathy  that  I come  to 
you  to-day  in  these  sad  hours  of  your  great  bereavement. 
As  we  had  recently  learned  through  Detroit  friends  that  Mr. 
George  had  returned  from  his  trip  much  improved  in  health, 
we  were  wholly  unprepared  for  the  sad  tidings  of  the  death 
of  your  dear  husband. 

We  can  scarcely  realize  that  his  earthly  mission  has  been 
fulfilled  so  early,  and  that  he  is  now  numbered  with  those 
that  have  gone  before. 

I feel  that  no  feeble  words  of  mine  can  offer  you  any  com- 
fort in  these  trying  hours;  but  I cannot  refrain  from  extend- 
ing my  sympathy  to  you  and  your  family,  trusting  that  you 
may  feel  that  although  separated  from  your  friends  they  have 
been  with  you  in  spirit. 

“i/e  giveth  his  beloved  sleep”  and  to  Him  alone  can  you 
look  for  comfort  and  strength  to  bear  this  great  affliction.  Yes, 

“ He  sees  when  their  footsteps  falter, 

When  their  hearts  grow  weak  and  faint, 

He  marks  when  their  strength  is  failing, 

And  listens  to  each  complaint; 

He  bids  them  rest  for  a season, 

For  the  pathway  has  grown  too  steep; 

And  folded  in  fair  green  pastures, 

He  giveth  His  loved  ones  sleep.” 

“He  giveth  it.” 

Yes,  the  earthly  life  is  ended  and  he  sleeps.  The  world 
will  miss  him  sadly  from  his  accustomed  place,  his  friends 
will  miss  his  genial  smile,  kind  words,  and  hospitable  welcome ; 
but  the  home  fireside  will  miss  the  tender  husband,  the  loving 
father,  and  the  devoted  son,  ah,  more  than  words  can  tell. 


82 


MEMORIAL  OF 


But  what  is  our  loss  is  his  gain.  ’ Tis  sad  to  part  from 
those  we  love,  yet  ’tis  only  for  a little  time  ere  we  shall  all 
be  reunited  in  that  happy  land  where  parting  is  unknown,  and 

“ Though  thy  heart  be  sore  and  bleeding 
From  thy  treasure  called  to  part, 

Comes  there  not  to  thee  this  message  — 

‘ I am  nigh  the  broken  heart?’  ” 

Remember  me  with  loving  sympathy  to  your  dear,  good 
mother,  whom  God  has  mercifully  spared  to  be  your  earthly 
comfort  and  solace  in  these  sorrowing  hours.  She  loved  him 
with  all  the  tenderness  of  a mother’s  heart,  and  her  grief  will 
also  be  deep,  but  with  her  beautiful  faith  she  will  look  be- 
yond this  vale  of  tears  and  say  “Thy  will,  not  mine.” 

Father,  mother,  and  Henrietta  desire  their  loving  remem- 
brances to  you  all. 

With  love  believe  me 

Ever  your  sincere  friend, 

HATTIE  E.  FARNSWORTH. 


218  State,  Room  21,  Chicago, 
January  10,  1882. 

Mrs.  George  and  Mrs.  Papineau, 

My  Dear  Friends, — Several  times  since  I learned  of  the 
terrible  affliction  that  has  befallen  you,  have  I seated  myself 
to  write  and  express  my  sympathy,  and  as  many  times  have 
I left  my  letter  unfinished  and  unsent.  Even  now  my  heart 
almost  fails  me.  I know  that  your  secretaries  are  filled  with 
letters  of  condolence,  for  the  departed  one  numbered  his 
friends  by  the  thousands.  I well  know,  from  bitter  experience, 
the  uselessness  of  words  to  give  consolation,  but  I sympathize 
with  you  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart.  We,  ourselves,  feel 
bereaved.  I cannot  say  to  my  friends  “do  not  weep  for  the 
loved  one.”  It  is  right  to  weep;  shed  oceans  of  tears,  if 
necessary  for  relief.  But  I know  that  you  will  try  to  bear 
up  under  this  affliction  for  the  sake  of  the  little  ones  left  in 
your  charge,  who  will  never  be  allowed  to  feel  the  loss  of 
father  or  mother.  He  is  gone.  A family  has  lost  a beloved 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


83 


member;  a city  mourns  the  loss  of  an  honest,  upright,  enter- 
prising citizen,  and  a State  mourns  the  loss  of  a leader. 
You  can  well  exclaim:  Well  done,  thou  good  and  faithful 
servant! 

How  I long  to  hear  all  the  particulars  in  detail.  Shall  be 
very  glad  indeed  to  hear  from  you  whenever  your  feelings 
prompt  you  to  write. 

I have  just  had  a severe  attack  of  lung  congestion,  and 
although  I am  convalescing,  am  still  quite  feeble. 

Yours  in  love  and  sympathy, 

S.  F.  SUMMERS. 


Detroit,  Dec.  27,  1881. 


Geo.  Jerome,  Esq., 

Dear  Sir: — Will  you  please  present  to  the  family  of  the 
late  W.  S.  George  our  heartfelt  sympathies  in  their  bereave- 
ment. You  cannot  but  be  aware  of  our  knowledge  of  Mr. 
George’s  sterling  worth  and  ability;  it  is  a loss  not  easily 
replaced  to  the  State,  and  those  who  looked  to  him  for  aid 
and  support. 

Yours  very  truly, 


RICHMOND,  BACKUS  & CO. 


Stoneham,  Mass.,  Dec.  29th,  1881. 

My  Dear  Friends: 

I heard  through  Mrs.  Ripley  of  your  most  painful  bereave- 
ment and  extend  my  heartfelt  sympathy  to  you  all.  The 
kind  and  faithful  husband,  the  devoted  son,  and  loving  father, 
has  been  taken  away  and  in  your  bleeding  hearts  is  a pain 
that  only  time  and  submission  to  heaven’s  will  can  cure.  It 
is  impossible  for  you  now  to  say  “Thy  will,  not  mine,  be 
done,”  but  in  time  you  may  if  you  try  faithfully  to  learn  the 
lesson  of  your  great  sorrow.  It  is  through  severe  chastise- 
ment that  our  natures  are  refined  and  purified  and  made  to  yield 
the  fruits  of  righteousness.  God’s  ways  we  cannot  fathom, 
but  his  purposes  are  wise  and  good.  Trust  him  in  this  your 
hour  of  darkness  and  it  will  turn  to  day.  The  toiling,  busy 
life  is  ended  and  the  weary  one  is  at  rest.  How  many  there 


84 


MEMORIAL  OF 


* 


are  who  will  mourn  the  loss  of  a faithful  friend.  You  should 
indeed  be  thankful  so  noble  a life  was  yours  to  enjoy,  even 
though  it  makes  the  pain  of  parting  harder. 

Let  me  hear  from  you  when  you  feel  like  writing. 

Your  sympathizing  friend, 

D.  ROWEN. 


Elba,  Mich.,  Dec.  27,  9:30  A.  M.,  1881. 

N.  F.  Handy,  Esq., 

Dear  Sir: — Your  dispatch  of  this  morning  received.  I am 
greatly  surprised  and  shocked  at  the  sad  news  contained. 
When  I parted  with  him  in  Richmond  I had  the  strongest 
hopes  of  his  restoration  to  health  and  usefulness.  Please 
extend  my  sincere  sympathies  to  the  bereaved  family  in  their 
terrible  bereavement.  I should  like  to  be  informed  as  to  the 
arrangements  for  the  funeral  at  as  early  an  hour  as  pos- 
sible, as  I wish  to  attend  and  I have  several  engagements  for 
the  week  which  will  have  to  be  disposed  of. 

Yours  truly, 

JOHN  T.  RICH. 


Fentonville,  Dec.  28,  1881. 

Our  Dear  Friends: 

We  were  taken  wholly  by  surprise  when  we  read  in  the 
paper  of  last  evening  of  the  death  of  Mr.  George.  May  the 
dear  Lord  comfort  and  support  you  all,  is  our  sincere  prayer. 
Would  that  we  could  in  some  way  minister  personally  for 
your  relief.  Let  us  know  if  there  is  any  way  in  which  we 
can  do  so.  In  the  meantime  accept  our  sincere  condolence 
and  believe  us  ever  your  devoted  friends. 

THOS.  and  RUTH  WRIGHT. 


Muskegon,  Mich.,  Jan.  6,  1882. 

Dear  Mrs.  George: 

I want  to  express  to  you,  and  to  your  mother,  and  to  the 
children  also,  my  personal  sorrow  at  the  loss  of  Mr.  George. 


* 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


85 


T wish  I had  known  him  years  sooner  than  I did.  I think  I 
never  was  acquainted  with  a more  conscientious  and  noble 
man.  I shall  always  think  of  him  with  the  deepest  satisfac- 
tion and  gratitude.  I think  he  must  have  been  like  the  one 
Pope  speaks  of,  who 

“ Calmly  looked  on  either  life,  and  here 
Saw  nothing  to  regret,  or  there  to  fear; 

From  nature’s  temperate  feast  rose  satisfied, 

Thank’d  heaven  that  he  had  lived  and  that  he  died.” 

Will  you  all  accept  my  heart-felt  sympathy  in  this  sable 
hour.  God  bless  and  comfort  you,  every  one. 

Sincerely, 

F.  E.  KITTREDGE. 


In  addition  to  the  foregoing  tributes,  the  famity  received 
many  messages  and  letters  from  loving  friends  who  had  per- 
sonally known  Mr.  George,  and  admired  his  noble  traits 
of  character.  Unbounded  sympathy  and  condolence  w’ere 
expressed,  but  lack  of  space  forbids  the  publication  of  these 
valued  testimonials. 


SHcmovial  Resolutions. 


On  Feb.  7,  1882,  the  republican  committee  of  Ingham  county 
met  and  passed  the  following  resolutions: 

Whereas,  Since  the  last  meeting  of  this  committee  death  has 
deprived  us  of  our  chairman,  W.  S.  George,  who  for  the  past  three 
years  has  so  ably  and  creditably  discharged  the  duties  incumbent 
on  that  position,  therefore, 

Resolved , That  we,  the  republican  county  committee  of  Ingham 
county  sincerely  deplore  his  death  and  appreciate  the  great  loss 
we  have  sustained. 

Resolved , That  his  ability,  foresight,  and  experience,  together 
with  his  untiring  zeal,  unquestioned  reliability  as  a republican, 
combined  to  make  him  a man  whose  counsel  and  opinions  were 
respected  and  valued. 

Resolved,  That  notwithstanding  we  are  now  deprived  of  his 
advice  and  judgment,  yet  we  call  to  mind  with  pride  and  satisfaction 
the  campaigns  of  the  past  that  we  have  fought  under  his  directions 
and  came  off  victorious. 

Resolved,  That  the  sympathy  of  this  committee  be  extended  to 
his  family  and  friends. 

Resolved,  That  a copy  of  these  resolutions  be  furnished  his  family 
and  published  in  the  republican  papers  throughout  the  county. 

At  a meeting  of  the  republican  State  central  committee, 
held  at  Kalamazoo,  Aug.  29,  1882,  the  following  resolutions 
were  adopted: 

Whereas,  It  has  pleased  divine  Providence  to  remove  from  our 
midst  our  companion  and  co-worker,  W.  S.  George; 

Resolved,  That  by  his  death  the  republican  party  and  republican 
principles  lose  one  of  their  capable  advocates;  the  State  of  Michi- 
gan an  honored  and  eminent  citizen,  and  the  republican  State 
central  committee  an  efficient  officer; 

Resolved,  That  our  most  profound  sympathies  are  excited  and 
are  hereby  earnestly  extended  to  his  wife  and  family,  the  partners 
of  his  life,  who  alone  can  idealize  the  extent  of  their  bereavement. 


gfgtmoviam. 


AV.  S.  GEORGE,  DIED  DEC.  ^7,  1881. 


DEDICATED  TO  THE  BEREAVED  FAMILY. 


Cotne  softly  to  the  waiting  earth 
Sweet  resurrection  of  the  year, 

And  bring  thy  sunshine  and  soft  winds 
To  hearts  that  sit  in  darkness  here. 

Come  with  thy  garlands  and  thy  songs 
And  from  their  home  the  phantoms  chase. 

Shall  sorrow  wail  among  the  flowers, 

And  tear  drops  hide  the  new  year’s  grace? 

When  he  they  loved,  for  whom  they  weep, 
Has  gained  the  blessed  shores  of  rest, 

Where  disappointment  entereth  not, 

And  sorrow  is  an  unknown  guest. 

Beyond  the  sea  of  mysteries, 

Beyond  their  tears,  beyond  their  prayers, 

He  rests,  who  only  yesterday 
Bore  heavily  earth’s  toils  and  cares. 

Who  in  the  thickest  of  the  fray 
Stood  ever  bravely  in  the  front, 

Who  shrank  not  from  life’s  missiles  fierce 
But  bore  unmoved  the  battle's  brunt. 

Who  fought  for  principle,  not  fame, 

Who  sowed  that  other  hands  might  reap, 

And  left  his  children  a rare  dower, 

Better  than  gems  or  gold  to  keep 

Sacred  as  life,  through  coming  years, 

The  dower  of  an  unsullied  name, 

Beside  which  learning,  honor,  wealth, 

Are  empty  baubles  cold  and  tame. 


► 


♦ 


88 


Wm.  S.  GEORGE. 


Great  temples  grow  not  in  a night, 

By  flat  of  the  artist’s  will, 

But  slowly  rise  they  stone  hy  stone, 
Cemented  hy  the  master’s  skill. 

So  nohle  lives  are  rounded  up 
By  toil  and  good  deeds  nobly  done; 

Who  wins  the  mastery  of  self 
May  deem  a royal  victory  won. 

When  such  a spirit  doth  escape 
From  its  dull  tenement  of  clay 

We  know  it  leaves  a prison  dark 
To  enter  realms  of  endless  day, 

Leaving  its  sorrows  all  behind, 

Laying  its  cares  and  burdens  down, 

Dropping  in  joy  its  earthly  cross 
To  take  up  life’s  eternal  crown. 

Ah!  songs  of  triumph  were  more  meet, 
When  closes  such  a life,  than  tears, 

Brave  songs,  whose  echoes  should  resound 
Through  cycles  of  the  coming  years. 

Then,  as  departs  the  winter’s  gloom, 

Bid  sorrow  from  your  hearts  begone, 

Be  glad  with  the  rejoicing  year, 

And  make  its  royal  hopes  your  own. 

And  when  the  Easter  morning  dawns, 

Clasp  hands  once  more  with  blessed  faith, 

Remembering  o’er  the  river  dark, 

On  heaven’s  fair  shores,  there  is  no  death. 


Lansihg,  March  27,  1882. 


H.  S. 


